“Mighty little,” was the surprised answer.
“But you do know something? You’ve played the game, haven’t you?”
“That’s an admission that you’ve played it some. We need you to fill a hole in the line—just for this practice game, you understand. Come on.”
“I reckon you’ll have to excuse me, sir,” said Grant. “I don’t believe I’ll play football.”
“This isn’t a regular game; it’s practice. You’ve got a little patriotism, haven’t you? You’ve got some interest in your school and your school team, I hope? It won’t hurt you to practice. Come, we haven’t any time to lose before it gets dark.”
But the boy on the seats shook his head. “I thank you for the invite, but I allow I’d better keep out of it. You’ll certain have to get some one else.”
Barker’s cold, irritating laugh sounded at Winton’s shoulder. “He’s afraid! He hasn’t even got sand enough to take part in a practice game.”
Rod Grant cut himself short with the third word trembling on his lips. Involuntarily he had started up and was coming down over the seats.
“Say it—say it if you dare!” cried Barker, springing past Winton. “I wish you would.”
The young Texan faltered on the lowest seat. “Never mind,” he said slowly. “I judge maybe I’d better keep my tongue between my teeth.”
“You’re right, you had,” Barker flung back, his aggressiveness and insolence increasing, if possible, with the hesitation of the other. “What are you here for, anyhow? If you haven’t got sand enough even to practice, why do you come out here and sit around watching the rest of us? You’d better get off the field before some one runs you off.”
Grant stepped down to the ground. “I sure hope nobody will try it,” he muttered.
By this time Winton had Barker by the shoulder.
“Why are you butting in here?” he exclaimed warmly. “If you would let him alone, perhaps I’d get him to——”
“Don’t you believe yourself, Mr. Winton. You couldn’t get him to do anything but talk and blow. I’ve been up against this same chap once before to-day, and he knows what I think of him. He’s a white-livered coward, that’s what’s the matter with him.”
Again it seemed that the boy from Texas would be taunted beyond endurance, and for a moment he crouched slightly, as if on the verge of springing at his insulter.