up--I'll be down at the field; I'm to be one of the
judges and you can call on me."

At luncheon Irving entered into the talk about the sports to come,
without giving any intimation as to the part which he was to play.

"They've given Heath only thirty yards over Lou Collingwood," complained
Westby.

"I thought Lou wasn't going to run, because of football; he hasn't been
practising," said Carroll.

"I know, but the Pythians have got hold of him, and Dennison's persuaded
him it's his duty to run. And I guess he's good enough without practice
to win from scratch--giving that handicap!"

"Is Dennison the captain of the Pythian track team?" asked Irving.

"Yes."

"And who's captain of yours--the Corinthians?"

"Ned Morrill."

"Morrill's going awfully fast in the quarter now," said Blake. "I timed
him yesterday."

"They've handicapped him pretty hard. And he's apt to be just a shade
late in starting--just as Dave Pratt is apt to be just a shade previous,"
said Westby. "It ought to be a close race between those two."

"How much does Pratt get over Morrill?"

"Five yards. And if he steals another yard on the start--"

"Dave wouldn't steal it," exclaimed Blake indignantly. "You Corinthians
would accuse a man of anything!"

"Oh, I don't mean that he'd do it intentionally," replied Westby. "But
he's so overanxious and eager always--and he's apt to get away without
realizing--without the starter realizing.--I wonder who's going to be
starter, by the way?"

Nobody knew; Irving did not enlighten them.

Westby bethought him to ask the same question of Scarborough half an
hour later, when they were dressing in the athletic house.

"Mr. Upton has consented to serve," said Scarborough gravely.

Westby thumped himself down on a bench, dangling one spiked running shoe
by the string.

"What! Kiddy!"

"The same," said Scarborough.

Westby said nothing more; he stooped and put on his shoe, and then he
rose and came over to Scarborough, who was untangling a knot. He passed
his hand over Scarborough's head and remarked wonderingly, "Feels
perfectly normal--strange--strange!"

Morrill came in from outside, clapping his hands. "Corinthians out for
the mile--Heath--Price--Bolton--Edwards--all ready?"

The four named answered by clumping on their spikes to the door.

A moment later came the Pythian call from Dennison; Collingwood and
Morse responded. The first event of the day was about to begin. Westby
leisurely br