t!"

"Stow it!"

"As bright as mud!"

"Call a doctor!"

"A cold shower for that!" shouted Neil, "That stuff is too deep for
we'uns!"

A dozen hands seized the unwilling Benz and thrust him cruelly under a
cold, cold shower.

"B-r-r-r-r-r! Let me out!" sputtered Benz, making a tremendous
struggle. "I don't mind the cold but that water is wet!"

"A double dose for that!" howled Pole, and Benz was forced to submit to
another flood of H2O. He was finally released and took his punishment
good naturedly. The fun went on, first one, and then the other of the
fellows being made the object for humorous attack.

Of a sudden the locker door opened and Coach Phillips stepped in.
Instantly all laughing and talking ceased. Fellows in half-dressed
attitudes hesitated before proceeding. It was evident by the look on
Coach Phillips' face that he had something important to say.

"Any of the fellows left yet?"

"No!"

"Good!" snapped the coach. "I have a little something that I want to
say to you all before you go. I--"

"Ouch! Have a heart!" Benz had unwittingly slapped Pole across the
small of the back with a wet bath towel. A titter of laughter went up.

"Benz, stop that fooling and pay attention!" Coach Phillips' voice was
unusually hard and penetrating.

"Fun is all right in its place," continued the coach, "I'm glad to see
you fellows light-hearted and care free. That is usually a good sign
before a game. But too much of this sort of business will have a
disastrous effect. Such mental attitudes breed self confidence. Self
confidence breeds listlessness; and listlessness spells defeat. Now
don't misunderstand me. I want you to have a certain amount of
confidence, in yourselves, in the team. But beware of over-confidence!
Over-confidence will do more than misplays or anything else to bring
defeat. Just because we have gone through the season thus far
unbeaten, don't for one moment imagine that we are invincible. In
order to win Thursday it will take all the skill, strength, and
endurance that you fellows have! From now on until the big game is
over I want every fellow on the varsity to forget his studies. There
is no occasion to look astonished, (as several players gasped). It is
a new procedure at Bartlett, I know, but I believe a wise one. You
have all worked hard and kept up in your marks throughout the entire
season. Now I want complete relaxation. Don't look at a class book.
Work hard