“That’s right, Joe,” said Martin. “You did promise him that.”
Joe turned scowlingly and found Martin’s face red with repressed laughter. “What’s the matter with you?” he growled. “Hang it, it’s no laughing matter! If this chump thinks I’m going to stick him on the team--”
“Oh, take a tumble, Joe!” gurgled Martin. “Can’t you see Harmon’s stringing you? Oh, gee!” And Martin gave way to uncontrolled laughter.
Joe looked at Willard searchingly, a somewhat forced smile on his face. “That’s right?” he asked doubtfully.
Willard nodded, his gray-blue eyes twinkling merrily.
“I hope you choke!” said Joe. But the wish was followed by a deep sigh of relief.
“Doesn’t it seem fair enough,” laughed Willard, “for me to have my joke after you’ve had yours?”
“Sure!” agreed Martin. “He who laughs last laughs best!”
“What I want to know,” declared Bob earnestly, “is where that brother of yours is! Has Kenly got him?”
“No, he’s entered the Navy. I told you, didn’t I? He has always wanted to, but dad wouldn’t stand for it. And a couple of months ago Gordon just lit out. He meant to go to Kenly, if he went anywhere, and that’s why I decided on Kenly. I thought one of us might as well go there!”
“Well,” said Joe, “I guess the laugh’s on us, all right! I--I suppose you mean to stay here?”
“Surely! I’m entered now, you know. Besides, I like the place very well, probably quite as well as I’d have liked Kenly. And then being sure of a place on the football team here--”
“Have a heart!” groaned Joe. “Look here, have you ever played football at all?”
“A little. I got into a couple of games last year.”
Joe shook his head. “No good,” he muttered. “We’ve got more half-backs than we can use. What we need is a corking good full-back; and a couple of linemen.” He viewed Willard despondently. “I thought you looked pretty light for a full-back.”
“Me, too,” sighed Bob. “I couldn’t quite picture you smashing through a line like Gordon Harmon did!”
“No, Gordon’s four inches bigger all around than I am, and he weighs nearly thirty pounds more.”
“Too bad for a fellow like that to waste himself in the Navy,” mourned Joe. “Look here, Harmon, I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I can’t promise you a place, old man: you must see that yourself: but I’ll see that you get every chance to make good.”