“But it wouldn’t seem quite fair, would it, to make those boys run in the mile just after they’d been hurdling?”
“Well, it would be fair enough, I guess; that’s their lookout, you know; only--well, I don’t want to win that way. I say let every fellow have an even chance, and then the one that wins is the best man.”
“Are you going to practise this afternoon?” Harry asked.
“No, on account of the ball game with Whittier. But to-morrow we’ll have a good stiff afternoon of it. Then Friday we’ll rest up. That reminds me: Sid’s trying to get up a meet with Prentice Military Academy for some time the last of June. I hope he fixes it, for if he doesn’t the fellows won’t keep in training; and if they don’t it will be all the harder to get in form again next year. I wish we were sure of having a decent track here next spring. If only the dormitory business had turned out better I guess the Doctor would have been willing to spend some money on the field and track.”
“Do you think we’ll ever get the money for the dormitory, Dick?” asked Harry wistfully.
“Sure to, sooner or later,” he answered stoutly. “But it’s slow going, isn’t it? Haven’t had any more letters, have you?”
“Not one. I think some people are too mean for anything!”
“Well,” Dick laughed, “I dare say they’ve got plenty of uses for their money. We’ll get it yet. This summer I’ll strike dad for a thousand. If he’s had good luck he will give it in a minute. And when we’ve got two thousand pledged I guess your father will be willing to help us. He will see then that we’re in earnest.”
“I’m sure he will,” said Harry. “And isn’t it too funny for anything about his being honorary president and not knowing it? Oh, Dick! What time is it?”
“Twenty of eleven,” answered Dick, looking at his watch.
“I’ll be late if I don’t go this minute! And I’ll have to run half the way anyhow!”
“I thought you didn’t have to go until two on Wednesdays,” said Dick.
“Eleven; it’s that awful music. ‘Do, re, mi, fa, sol--’ Good-by.”
“Good-by,” answered Dick, getting up and looking around for his books. “I’ll see you at the game this afternoon.”
“Yes,” called Harry from the door. “And I hope we win.”
“Oh, we can’t help it,” laughed Dick. “It’s a way we have at Ferry Hill!”