“Yes, and he said he would. The only thing is, Tom, we’ll have to pay his expenses if we go away from home very far. I told him we would. It wouldn’t be much if we shared it. You see, Dick doesn’t have much money. I guess they’re pretty hard-up. His father only left them that house they’re in and a little insurance money, and of course Dick can’t do much to earn any.” “He told me the other day,” said Fudge, “that he was trying to get work tutoring this summer over at the Point. He could do that finely if he could find anyone to toot. Hope he does. Dick’s a peach.” “Then we’ll have first practice Wednesday, the rest of us, and we’ll look for you Friday, Tom. I’ve got to catch Harry before he goes home. Maybe his father won’t let him off. If he won’t we’ll be in a bad way for a second baseman.” “If you hold practice late—say, half-past four—I guess Harry could get there,” said Tom. “And we wouldn’t play more than twice a week, I suppose. Who else are you going after besides the Pointers?” “I don’t know. Maybe Lesterville. They’ve got a pretty good club over there. I guess we can find games enough, Tom.” “I suppose the Springdale team has disbanded,” said Tom. “I’d like to get another whack at those fellows!” “So would I,” Gordon agreed. “We never should have lost that last game, Tom. We all played like idiots, though. Six errors is going some!” “It was an off-day with me, all right,” grumbled Tom. “I couldn’t put ’em over the plate to save my life in the last four innings.” “We’ll lick them at football this fall,” asserted Fudge. “Bound to,” agreed Tom, with a sly wink at Gordon. “Fudge is going to play, you know.” “You bet I am!” exclaimed Fudge. “I’m going to p-p-play end. I’m g-g-going——” “So am I,” laughed Gordon. “Right now. Come along, Fudge, and we’ll hunt up Harry. I’m glad you’ll come in with us, Tom. By the way, I suppose we ought to have a sort of meeting to organize pretty soon. How would it do if you all came to my house to-morrow evening? We’ll have to choose a captain and—and talk things over.” “Oh, you’ll be captain,” said Tom. “It’s your scheme. Besides, who else is there?” “You, or Harry, or Will Scott, or——” “Shucks, they’re not made for it. It’ll be either you or Lansing, I guess. Anyway, I’ll be over to-morrow, if you say so, about eight. So long. I’ve got to get these boards down before dinner.” They found Harry Bryan in his father’s grocery. He, too, was very busy, but he stopped putting up orders long enough to hear Gordon’s tale, and was instantly enthusiastic. “I’ll have to ask my dad, though,” he said doubtfully. “He’s keeping me pretty close to business,” he added importantly. “What do you do, Harry?” asked Fudge. “Put the sand in the sugar?” Harry treated the insult with silent contempt. “I’ll ask him to-night, though,” he continued, “and let you know.” “Telephone me, will you? We’ll have practice late in the afternoon, Harry. You wouldn’t have to get away until after four.”