“That’s right!” said Bumpus, beaming with his whole red, swollen face. “I’m not stuck on the game, but if you really think I’m any help, I’ll come out till the end of things!” “That’s the talk,” answered Harrison. “I wish you fellows showed as good a spirit.” “We’ve been trying to encourage him,” claimed Hargraves. “What more do you want?” They went off, snickering, to Stover’s automobile. Inside the dressing rooms, boys shouted and jested and laughed over their bathing and dressing. Talbot leaned a smooched arm and a grimy paw on the top of a locker, and smiled across at Hardie. “You’ve played football before.” “Only on a class team at Hillbury.” “That’s more than most of us have done. You ought to make our team easily.” “I’d like to,” said Hardie, wistfully. “Ever play end?” “That’s where I’ve always played.” “See here!” Talbot raised his eyes level with his companion’s and gave him a square, direct look. “We need just the kind of fellow you are, but Harry doesn’t know it yet. You keep your mouth shut, play for all that’s in you, try to do what the coach tells you, and you’ll make the team before the first league game. Understand?” “Yes.” “All right.” Talbot turned toward the door. “Where’s that ’Lijah with the towels? He hasn’t given me a clean one for two days.” A sober-faced negro with close-cut side whiskers appeared round the corner. “Aren’t you going to give me a clean towel, Lije?” “Not ontil you pay me,” returned Elijah. “I ain’t trustin’ nobody this year.” “You old Shylock!” grumbled Talbot. “I’ve only got five cents, and I want that for car-fare.” “I’ll lend you a quarter,” proposed Hardie, eagerly. “Thanks. He’s more generous than you are, ’Lijah. He’ll lend me a quarter, and you won’t trust me for a towel.” “He’s new here,” answered Elijah, solemnly, as he handed over the clean towel and pocketed the quarter. “If he’d lost as much by you fellows as I have, he wouldn’t lend you a cent.” “That pays for a week, now, Lije,” urged Talbot. “Don’t forget!” “I never forgets. It’s you that forgets;” and the janitor went forth to seek other business opportunities. “A good fellow Lije is, but he’s too avaricious,” commented Talbot, hurrying for the shower. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTER V AT ADAMS’S