“Perhaps Dan will make it when he becomes the pitcher of the Tait School nine,” suggested Mr. Borden good-naturedly. “Don’t give up too easily, Walter. One never can tell what may come, but in business I have learned at least one thing which would have been of help to you if you had known it before your interview with Dan.” “What is that?” “Never give the ‘other fellow’ the chance to say ‘no.’” “I don’t see how you can help it sometimes.” “That’s one of the things you have to learn by experience. Now I’ll go over to see the great ‘strike-out’ pitcher. Let me see now; I must be sure of my ground. Was it twenty that Dan struck out?” “I sha’n’t tell you any more that it was fifteen,” replied Walter a little crossly as he became aware that his father was good-naturedly making fun of him. “Where will you be, Walter, when I come back?” “Right here on the piazza.” CHAPTER XII DAN RECONSIDERS An hour had elapsed when Walter, who had not once left the piazza where he and his mother had been seated, exclaimed excitedly, “There he comes, mother! I hope he has had good luck.” “I’m sure your father has induced the foolish boy to accept his offer. He has a great way of dealing with men, though I must confess that I haven’t very much sympathy with Dan. It seems to me that he has been a very foolish boy even to hesitate a moment. I’m sure he never will have another such opportunity.” “You don’t know Dan, mother,” said Walter as he arose and ran down the steps to greet his father. “What luck, father?” he asked eagerly. “Did you get Dan to say he would go?” “Yes.” “Great!” shouted the excited boy. “We’ll make you an honorary member of the nine! How did you do it? What did Dan say?” “He didn’t say very much.” “But he really is going?” “You’ll find him next September in your room when you go back to school.” “Tell me how you did it!” “I can’t do that just now. Isn’t it enough for you to know that Dan is to enter the Tait School this fall?” “Yes, sir; but I’d like to know how you got him to say yes.” “He won’t tell you.” “And you won’t, either?” “Not just now.” “When will you tell me?” “Perhaps at Christmas, perhaps next summer, or it may be that you never will know.” “Why not?” “That’s another thing you may never know, though I don’t mind telling you that I think you will find out.” “How? When?” “You must wait. I have succeeded in getting Dan to go to school with you. Can’t you be content with that?” “I’ll have to be,” said Walter, “though I’d like to know the rest. May I go over then and talk it over with Dan?” “Of course.” “Then I’ll go now!” exclaimed Walter as he ran from the piazza. “John, what did you say to Dan?” inquired Mrs. Borden of her husband, as he seated himself in a chair beside her.