“That’s good straight talk, fellows,” Lanny was saying earnestly, “and I second it. But Coach Lovering mustn’t think he can frighten us by talking hard work to us, for he can’t. We expect to work hard and we want to work hard. We want to get back at Springdale this year and wipe out what happened last, fellows, and we aren’t going to mind anything that happens so long as we can face Springdale in November with an even chance to win!” The applause greeting that sentiment was spontaneous and hearty. “There’s just one other thing, fellows,” Lanny continued. “You all know the fellow who has just spoken to you, and those of you who know him as well as I do――or half as well――know that he will do the very best he knows how for us. But it’s new stuff to Dick and it’s not going to be any cinch for him. So let’s help him all we can, remembering that by helping him we’re helping ourselves and the School. Let’s put our confidence in him, fellows, let’s do what he tells us cheerfully and let’s make up our minds that, no matter what――what discouragements or failures may come, in the end we’re going to be right there with the goods! Lovering isn’t doing this for money, as most of you know, for the Committee has seen to that. He’s doing it because――well, because some of us pestered the life out of him until he consented, and because he’s patriotic enough to take over a mighty difficult and thankless job when he can’t really afford the time it will take. Now, fellows, let’s have a cheer for Coach Lovering, and make it good!” And it was good! And Dick, who had waited at the door for Lanny to conclude, slipped out and, with the whole-hearted acclaim from some forty lusty throats following him, gazed thoughtfully across the fading green of the field and silently resolved to make good in this new and strange role he had assumed. That evening, after supper, Dick, Lanny, George Cotner and Chester Cottrell met at Lanny’s house. Cotner had prepared a list of candidates arranged alphabetically at Dick’s request. When he received the list Dick asked but one question: “Are all those fellows eligible to play, George?” “Yes, as far as I know. I have to take their words for it, of course.” “We won’t do that. I’ll hand this list to Mr. Murray to-morrow and ask him to check it up. Some of them may not have passed the examination and we don’t want to waste time on any fellow who may be taken away from us later on.” Lanny looked doubtful. “We haven’t paid much attention to physical examinations lately, Dick,” he said. “I guess I could name half a dozen fellows who haven’t been near Mr. Murray this Fall.” “The rule is still in force, isn’t it?” asked Dick in surprise. “Yes, I suppose so, but it’s a sort of dead letter now.”