"Oh, we've done fairly well. But the hardest rub is coming next Saturday. That's when we're going down to the city to have our game with Alden. There'll be a big crowd out, and the Alden alumni are mighty strong around town there too, and they'll be out in bunches. We've got to keep up our end, and that's why I've come over to see you fellows. I want you both to go next Saturday." "Sure!" shouted Will, leaping to his feet. "We'll be on hand. You rest your soul easy about that." "How many are going, Hawley?" inquired Foster quietly. "So far, about half the college have agreed to go. We'd like to get another hundred to go along. It will make a big difference to the team. Last year there were six thousand people on the grounds, and it rained hard too, all the time. This year, if we have a good day, there'll be ten thousand on hand anyway." "How are the fellows going down?" said Foster. "Chartered a special train." "What's the fare?" "About six dollars for the round trip." "Come back the same day?" "Can if you want to, the train is coming back that night after the game. But a good many will stay over till Monday." "When do you have to know?" "You ought to give in your names by to-morrow night. Peter John is going along. I think he'll be a good mascot, don't you?" laughed Hawley. "I'm sorry Peter John is going," said Foster thoughtfully. "Sorry!" exclaimed Hawley aghast. "Why, man alive, he'll have the time of his life." "That's what I'm afraid of, and besides he ought not to spend the money." "I don't know anything about that," said Hawley quickly. "But he may make enough on the game to pay all his expenses." "Has he staked money on the game?" said Will. "You'll have to ask him," retorted Hawley somewhat sharply. "We can count on you two fellows then, can we?" "That's what you can!" replied Will heartily. "I'll think about it and let you know in the morning," said Foster. And Hawley at once departed from the room. "What do you suppose it means that Peter John is going?" was Foster's first question after their visitor had departed. "I don't know, but I don't like the look of it," responded Will. "Neither do I. Can we do anything to stop it?" "No, I'm afraid not. Peter John is getting beyond us." Foster shook his head thoughtfully but made no response, and the work was resumed. For an hour each boy labored at his desk, and then Foster was the first to break in upon the silence. "Will," he said, "I think I'll go with you on that trip with the team." "I don't think I'll go," said Will quietly. "Not go? Why not?" demanded Foster in astonishment. "I've been thinking it over and I've made up my mind that it won't do for me to break in on the regular program I've mapped out for myself. You see Saturday is the day when I always have a double dose with my tutor, and it won't do for me to spoil it," and Will Phelps made a wry face as he spoke.