“It’ll keep,” said Smith curtly. “Let me hear it,” protested Dan. “I won’t ask you who pays your bills,” continued Gus, “but I will ask you this: Now, honestly, wasn’t it because you’re a good pitcher that this unknown benefactor of yours offered to pay your way through the Tait School?” “Don’t answer his question, Dan!” spoke up Walter hastily. Ignoring the protest Dan looked straight into the face of his accuser and said: “I shall have to say both yes and no. I’ll own up that if I hadn’t been a――if some people hadn’t thought I could pitch a little――probably I wouldn’t be here now. But I know too, that that isn’t the only reason why――――” “That’s all I want,” interrupted Gus triumphantly. “You own up that you don’t pay your own way, and you can’t deny that someone has offered to send you because you think you can pitch a little. That’s all I claimed. I haven’t anything against you, you understand, but I rather guess that Doctor Sprague won’t stand for such things. The Tait School has too good a name to spoil it now by hiring m――professionals,” he hastily interrupted himself. The boys glanced slyly at Dan, but he was silent. His face flushed and it was plain that the brutal words had cut deeply, although he tried not to show it. Turning sharply, Hodge said: “Richards, did you ever get money for playing ball?” “Not a cent!” spoke up Walter hastily. “Let him answer for himself,” said Gus. “No, I never was paid for a game,” answered Dan quietly. “That settles it,” declared Smith. “No, it doesn’t settle it,” almost shouted Walter. “I’ll tell you fellows just how it was――――” “Please don’t,” interrupted Dan. “I’m going to tell,” persisted Walter, ignoring his roommate’s words. “I’ll tell you just how it was. Dan lives on a farm that is next to my grandfather’s at Rodman. I’ve known him ever since we both were kids. Four years ago his father died, and Dan and his brother Tom have been running the farm ever since. Of course, a fellow that runs a farm nowadays doesn’t get the chance to make as much money as some men do, but Dan and Tom have managed to live and get a little ahead too. They knew there was some money to be made――――” “On a farm?” broke in Gus with a sneer. “Yes, sir; on a farm!” retorted Walter hotly. “I’d like to know what they raised,” sneered Gus. “I’ll tell you――they raised hogs!” said Walter. “You ought to know that hogs pay if there’s anyone in the school that knows it.”