“He may be yet,” said Dan quietly. “Not much!” exclaimed Ned warmly. “We’ve got a fellow to occupy the box this spring who could give points to the best pitcher in the country.” “That’s what Si――he’s the harness-maker at Rodman, you know――is all the time saying,” laughed Dan, his good nature now having been restored. “He wants to have the New Yorks come up to play the nine at Rodman. He seems to think they’d be surprised.” “Well, it’s not quite so bad as that,” said Ned lightly. “But I know we’ve a mighty good pitcher for the Tait School nine this spring. And don’t you forget it, either! Don’t you go into any fool business. Just grit your teeth and hang on. Everything will come out all right this spring. Gus Kiggins’ jealousy is not very comfortable, but it never killed anyone yet. He hasn’t got friends enough in the school to elect him dishwasher.” “Probably he doesn’t want that job,” said Dan smilingly. “And yet there isn’t a finer-looking fellow in school. Just look at his shoulders now.” Ned glanced at Gus, who was seated in the end of the car. “Yes, he’s got the shoulders and the muscle. He’s all right until you get up to his head. Last year he was a fairly decent fellow in spite of his dirty work on the football team. This year he cut out his low-down tricks, but he seems to be letting it out in other ways.” “The eleven did fairly well,” suggested Dan. “Tied the Atlas High School for third place,” laughed Ned. “We’ll say that the St. John’s School really was lowest. They can’t deny it, either. But when the baseball season opens, then just keep an eye on the Tait School nine! The first game will be an eye-opener! No one knows what a ‘find’ we have in the pitcher’s box.” “Don’t you think the school league is a good thing?” “Fine! We weren’t in shape for football, that’s all. We’ll make it up though when it comes to baseball! Next year we’ll be all ready for hockey and basket-ball. I think that we’ll be able to arrange for a track meet this spring too. Ever do anything on the track, Dan?” “I never did.” “You never tried, you mean,” laughed Ned. “I never tried, then. I guess I can ‘run’ though,” said Dan dryly.