shivering onlookers, that
speedily gave place to satisfaction, and as Don, tossing aside his
blanket, followed the first-string players into the field a small and
enthusiastic First Form youth clapped approvingly, others took it up and
in a moment the applause crackled along the side line.

"That's for you," whispered Tim to Don. "Lift off your head-guard!"

But Don glanced alarmedly toward the fringe of spectators and hid as
best he could behind Thursby! Practice went with a new vim today.
Doubtless the return of Don heartened the team, for one thing, and then
there was a snap of winter in the air that urged to action. The second
was as nearly torn to tatters this afternoon as it had ever been, and
the first scored twice in each of the two fifteen-minute periods.
"Boutelle's Babies" were a lame and tired aggregation when the final
whistle blew!

Later it became known that Walton was out of it, had emptied his locker
and retired from football affairs for the year. All sorts of stories
circulated. One had it that he had quarrelled with Coach Robey and been
incontinently "fired." Another that he had become huffy over Gilbert's
reinstatement and had resigned. None save Don and Coach Robey and Walton
himself knew the truth of the matter for a long time. Don did tell Tim
eventually, but that was two years later, when his vow of secrecy had
lapsed. Just now he was about as communicative as a sphinx, and Tim's
eager curiosity had to go unsatisfied.

"But what did he _say_?" Tim demanded after practice that afternoon. "He
must have said _something_!"

Don considered leisurely. "No, nothing special. He said I was to report
for work."

"Well, what did _you_ say?"

"I said I would!"

"Well, what about Walton? Where does he get off?"

"I don't know."

Tim gestured despairingly. "Gee, you're certainly a chatty party! Don't
tell me any more, please! You may say something you'll be sorry for!"

"I'll tell you some day all about it, Tim. I can't now. I said I
wouldn't."

"Then there is something to tell, eh? I knew it! You can't fool your
Uncle Dudley like that, Donald! Tell me just one thing and I'll shut up.
Did you and Walton have a row the time you went to see him in his room?"

Don shook his head. "No, we didn't."

"Well, then, why----"

"You said you'd shut up," reminded the other.

"Oh, all right," grumbled Tim. "Anyway, I'm mighty glad. Every fellow on
the team is as pleased as Punch. I guess the whole scho