"Oh, I'll try not to," and Sid dumped himself down in the easy chair and with an air of dogged determination began devouring Latin verbs. The 'varsity had had its final practice against the scrub, with Tom in the box for the first team. He was beginning to take it as a matter of course and acquiring that which he needed most--confidence in himself. The scrub pitcher who had replaced him was good, but he was pretty well batted, while very few hits, and these only one-baggers, were secured off Tom. "Boys," said Mr. Lighton two days before the game, "I think I can see our way clear to the Tonoka Lake League pennant. Now take it easy to-morrow, a little light exercise, be careful of what you eat, don't get nervous, go to bed early and sleep well. Then Saturday afternoon we'll go to Fairview and bring back the banner." "Three cheers for our coach!" called Kerr, and Mr. Lighton, veteran that he was, blushed with pleasure. "I hope we win," remarked Ford Fenton as the team walked to the dressing-rooms. "My uncle says----" But Kerr threw his big catching mitt with such good aim that it struck Fenton full in the face. "Here--huh! ho! What'd you do that for?" he demanded. "I didn't want you to wear out that uncle of yours," was the cool answer. "It's getting warm weather now and you'd better can him so he'll keep until next year." Ford scowled and then laughed, for he was good-natured in spite of his one failing. Sid entered the room where Tom was late that afternoon with a worried look on his face. "What's the matter?" asked Tom in alarm. "Pitchfork has decided to have a special Latin exam to-morrow for my class. Wow! I was counting on it going over, but it won't, and I've got to take it to-morrow." "Well?" "No, not well--bad. If I slump, do you know what it means?" "You can't play against Fairview?" "Exactly. Oh, Tom, I'm as nervous as a girl before her first big party. Here, coach me a bit," and Tom, taking the books, gave Sid what help he could until they were both so tired and sleepy that Tom insisted that bed was the only place for them. The news spread the next day. Sid was the only member of the team who was in the special Latin class, and consequently the only one who had to go through the ordeal. When he went into recitation his mates on the team gathered in silent conclave on the diamond. "If Sid slumps," spoke Captain Woodhouse, "I don't----" "Don't talk about it," pleaded Bricktop Molloy. "If he does, couldn't we play Langridge on first?" suggested Phil Clinton. "He used to practice there." "Langridge is down and out," declared Kerr. "I don't know what's come over him. He won't speak to me any more. I guess he knows he's got to do a lot of studying to pass, and he must be tutoring with some grind. He keeps himself mighty scarce. I don't believe he'd play." "No, we couldn't use him," said Kindlings. "It all depends on Sid. I wish the exam was over. It's like waiting for a jury to come in."