ou talk like it," muttered Kirkwell. But Merton, who had been a silent
audience, stepped in to Don's support.

"Gilbert's only trying to help us, Ned. Quit grousing. Come on; time's
up."

In spite of mutinous objections Kirkwell profited by Don's advice and
instruction and soon showed an improvement in his defensive playing. It
didn't appear that day, for Kirkwell was replaced by Don before the
second period was more than a few minutes old, while Merton gave way to
Goodhugh. Don's advent considerably strengthened the left of the second
team's line and more than once during his brief presence there he had
the satisfaction of outwitting Tom Hall and once got clear through and
smeared a play well behind the first team's line.

Boots cut his squad from day to day and on Friday only some eighteen
candidates remained. Brace went with the discard. Between parting with
Brace and Goodhugh, Don, when consulted, chose to sacrifice the former.
Possibly young Brace suspected Don's part in his release, for, for some
time after that, he viewed Don with scowls.

Don's hand was now entirely healed, although the scars still showed,
and, according to the doctor, would continue to show for a long time.
Mr. Boutelle used Don at right guard during some portion of every
scrimmage game against the first, a fact which caused Kirkwell a deal of
anxiety. Kirkwell had from the first, and not unreasonably, resented
Don's appearance with the second team squad. Don had been, as every
fellow knew, slated for the first team, and Kirkwell thought it was
unfair of him to drop back to the second and "try to do him out of his
place." Feeling as he did, it isn't surprising that he took more and
more unkindly to Don's teaching. It took all of Don's good nature at
times to prevent an open break with Kirkwell. Once the latter accused
Don of trying to "ball him up" so that he would play poorly and Don
would get the position. The next day, though, he made an awkward apology
for that accusation and was quite receptive to Don's criticisms and
instructions. But Don's task was no easy one and it grew harder as the
season progressed and the second team, especially as to its linemen,
failed to develop the ability Mr. Boutelle looked for. Don more than
once was on the point of resigning his somewhat thankless task, but Tim
refused to sanction it, and what Tim said had a good deal of influence
with Don.

"Well, then," he said moodily, "I hope Kirkwell will break so