“You are. In fact I have made a small telescope of some of my glasses. You may not think so,” he went on, turning to the lads, “but I received a fine medical education, and I specialized in eyes. I was once considered a good oculist, but love of a roving life precluded me practicing with success. Still I have not forgotten my knowledge.” “I thought not!” exclaimed Mr. Clatter with energy. “That’s why I asked the boys to come here to-night to meet you. I had a plan in mind, and I hope, with your aid, Tithy, to carry it out. “Bill, here, wants to pitch on the Varsity nine. He has a good chance, or, rather he had a good chance, until his unfortunate injury lost him a certain necessary control of the ball. Am I not right?” he asked, appealing to the youth in question. “That’s right,” answered Bill, wondering what was going to happen. “Very well then. Now it seems that with the proper glasses the temporary defect in your vision would be corrected as far as reading was concerned; wouldn’t it?” “That’s what the doctor said.” “Correct again. Now then, if you can wear glasses to read with, why can’t you wear them to play ball with?” “Play ball in glasses!” cried Bill. “It has been done,” went on the professor easily. “Of course it would be rather hard for a catcher or a baseman to wear them, with the necessity of having to catch balls thrown with great swiftness. But it’s different with a pitcher. He practically only throws the ball, and it is returned to him easily. Glasses would not be a hindrance to you. In fact, in your case, they would be a help.” “I—I never thought of wearing glasses and pitching,” stammered Bill. “All the more reason for thinking of it now. Here is my plan.” The professor motioned for the boys and the astronomer to give close attention. “We’ll get Tithy here to give you a good examination,” said Mr. Clatter, “and we’ll have him make you a special pair of glasses. He’ll put them in a strong frame, so they will set close to your face, and fasten on securely. They won’t come off no matter how hard you run, and in fact you may not need them when you’re at the bat. But you do need them to pitch with, and you’re going to have them. Can you make an examination to-night, Tithy?” “Better than in daylight. I have all the instruments, and I think I could make the glasses.” “Then it’s all settled!” declared Mr. Clatter, as if that was all there was to it. “Come along, boys, we’ll go over to the other palace car, and see what happens. Bill, you’re going to pitch again, and if you don’t make the Varsity it’s your own fault!” The medicine man had rattled on at such a rate that the boys had hardly had a chance to speak. As for Bill his brain was in a whirl. He did not know whether or not to have any faith in what was proposed. “Do you really think it can be done?” he asked. “Of course it can!” declared Mr. Clatter. “I can make the glasses all right,” answered Mr. Somnus with professional pride.