While Mr. Grayson continued his writing, Lanny looked about the office with a new interest. It did, he told himself, certainly need new furnishings. The carpet, always too small for the big room, was threadbare in places and so faded that it was difficult to guess its original color. The flat-top oak desk was stained and battered, and when, presently, the Principal leaned back in his swivel-chair it squeaked most excruciatingly. Mr. Grayson removed his glasses and, being nearsighted, squinted a little as he turned to Lanny. “Well, White, how are football affairs getting on?” he asked. Lanny was so greatly relieved to find that he was not in for a caution regarding his class standing that for an instant he found it hard to focus his thoughts on the question. Finally, however, “Why, pretty well, sir,” he answered vaguely. “Hm!” Mr. Grayson thoughtfully polished the lenses of his glasses with a silk handkerchief which he carried for the purpose. “Mr. Carter talked to me over the ’phone last evening. He seemed to think that there was some dissatisfaction on the part of the school. He said his son had told him the boys were quite excited and were talking of appealing to the Athletic Committee to do something, I don’t know just what.” Mr. Carter was one of the graduate members of the Committee and had a son in High School. “Yes, sir, there is some talk,” acknowledged Lanny. “There’s to be a meeting to-night. The fellows don’t like it that the team has been beaten so often. But I don’t see what good it is going to do to stir up a lot of talk and trouble, Mr. Grayson.” “I see. Mr. Carter rather inferred that the boys held the coach to blame. Is that the way it is?” “Yes, I think so. They seem to have it in for the team and for Lovering too. We haven’t made a very good showing so far, sir, and that’s a fact, but Lovering’s aiming at the Springdale game and doesn’t care so much about the others. As far as I’m concerned, I’d like to win them all, but Dick seems to think we can’t do that, and I’m willing to stand back of Dick, Mr. Grayson.” “Do you think he――well, knows his business, White?” “Yes, sir, I do,” replied Lanny decidedly. “He may be a little――a little too cautious, but I think if the fellows will let him alone he will bring the team around in good shape for the big game.” “I see. And the other members of the team, White? They think as you do about Lovering?” “Yes, sir, as far as I know. We’d all like to have won more games than we have, but it isn’t fair to put the blame on Dick, Mr. Grayson; anyway, not all of it. The team isn’t as far advanced as it was a year ago at this time, but not having any coach at the beginning of the season made a difference.” “Hm. Last year Springdale won, I believe.” “Yes, sir. That’s just it. We won all our early games but one and then got beaten badly by Springdale.”