"Yes, that's a possibility, of course. No man can ever tell about that. But I shouldn't let it break my heart if I didn't make the team the first year. Very few do that. All I say is go ahead and try. No man can ever tell what's in him till he tests himself, can he?" "No, I suppose not." "Now don't have any nonsense about it, Phelps, and don't misunderstand me. I believe in every man doing his best and then just resting there and not crying over what he can't ever have. If a man does his best and then doesn't have the whole world bowing and scraping before him because he isn't very high up, that isn't any reason why he should kick. Take what you've got, use it, test it, and then if you find you're not a star but only a candle, why, just shine as a candle and don't go sputtering around because you can't twinkle like a star. At least that's the way I look at it." "Perhaps a fellow's father and mother don't look at it that way." "Are you having trouble with Splinter?" demanded the senior sharply. "A little. Yes, a good deal. I detest the fellow!" said Will bitterly. "No wonder you lost the hundred," responded Wagner with a smile. "Do you know, Phelps, I had the same experience you're having with him when I was a freshman." "What did you do?" "Do? There's only one thing to do and that is to do his work. But I advise you to go down to his house and see him and talk it over." "He won't want to see me." "Yes, he will. He's not half so bad as you think. Try it; I did." "He'll think I'm trying to boot-lick." "No, he won't. You can run if you have to, can't you?" demanded Wagner. "You've got a good stride, and, like trying for the track team, you've nothing to lose and everything to gain." CHAPTER XIV THE ADVICE FOLLOWED For a time after the departure of Wagner, Will Phelps sat thinking over the stirring words of his visitor. His feeling of positive discouragement, with the natural rebound of his impulsive temperament, had in a measure given place to one of confidence and even of elation. To be recognized by the great captain was an honor of itself, but to receive a personal visit from him and a warm invitation to try for a place on the track team was a distinction for which he never had even dared to dream. Even his other pressing problem--his work in Greek--appeared slightly more rosy-hued now, and a sudden determination seized upon him to do as Wagner had suggested and see Splinter that very night. Accordingly, soon after dinner--the meal at his fraternity house which he had dreaded in view of the semi-defeat of the afternoon--he started toward the home of his professor of Greek, resolved to talk over the entire situation with him and strive to learn exactly where he stood and what his prospects were likely to be.