ou're going to be one of these here martinets you read
about," said Tim with a sigh. "Steve, remember you were young once
yourself."

"He never was!" declared Amy with decision. "Steve was grown-up when he
was quite young and he's never got over it. Thank the Fates _I_ don't
have to be bossed by him! Are you all leaving? Clint, count the spoons
and forks! Come again, everyone. I've got lots more to say. Good-night,
Don. Glad to see you back again, old sober-sides. Sorry about that fin
of yours. Be careful with him, Tim. You know how it is with the dear
old team. We need every man we can get. Hold on, Harry! Did you drop
that quarter? Oh, I beg pardon, it's only a button. That's right, Thurs,
kick the chair over if it's in your way. We don't care a bit about our
furniture. For the love of lemons, Larry, don't grin like that! Think of
the team, man! Remember your sorrows! Good-_night_!"

Half-way to Billings Don broke the silence.

"Fellows are funny, aren't they?" he murmured.

"Funny? How do you mean?" asked Tim.

"Oh, I don't know," replied Don after a thoughtful moment.
"They're--they're so different, I guess."

"Who's different from who?"

"Everyone," answered Don, smothering a yawn.

Tim viewed him in the radiance of the light over the doorway with
profound admiration. "Don, you're a brilliant chap! Honest, sometimes I
wonder how you do it! Doesn't it hurt?"

Don only smiled.

CHAPTER IV

THE FIRST GAME

DON sat on the bench and watched the game with Thacher School. With him
were nearly a dozen other substitutes, but they, unlike Don, were in
football togs and might, in fact probably would, get into the game
sooner or later. There was no such luck for Don so long as his hand
remained swathed in bandages, and he was silently bewailing his luck. At
his right sat Danny Moore, chin in hand and elbow in palm, viewing the
contest from half-closed eyes. The trainer was small and red of hair and
very freckled, and he was thoroughly Irish and, in the manner of his
race, mightily proud of it. Also, he was a clever little man and a good
trainer.

An attempted forward pass by the visitors grounded and the horn squawked
the end of the first period. Danny turned his beady green eyes on Don.
"Likely you're wishin' yourself out there with the rest of 'em, boy," he
said questioningly.

Don nodded, smiled his slow smile and shook his head. "I guess I won't
get into it for a week yet. Doc says this hand has