human
Professor, he asked innocently,
gpt
Yes, and I am glad you spoke of that, said Mr. Rodd quickly, rubbing his hands, much pleased that he had a chance to impart some Latin information.
human
Oh, by the way, spoke the Professor, as if he had just thought of it:
gpt
I don't mind you boys studying together, if you don't stay up too late. But it is better to ask permission. However, I will speak to Dr. Fillmore about it, and it will be all right from now on. I am pleased that some of my students are so painstaking. I wish more were.
human
Say, talk about pulling off a stunt! We did it all right!
gpt
I should say yes,
human
Well, you ought to get out a patent on this,
gpt
You sure had, agreed Tom.
human
Let Joe give you some points. His father has taken out several patents.
gpt
Oh, I guess we'll make it free for all--any fellow is welcome to the idea, replied Teeter.
human
So your dad's an inventor, eh, Matson?
gpt
Yes, harvester machinery--his latest was a corn reaper and binder, and he nearly lost it, and Joe briefly told how Isaac Benjamin and Rufus Holdney had nearly ruined his father, as related in detail in
human
Baseball Joe of the Silver Stars.
gpt
Ever hear anything more of those fellows?
human
No, they seem to have disappeared, answered Joe.
gpt
They cleared out after dad won his case in the courts. But he's on the watch for them, he told me. His business isn't all settled yet, and there is some danger. But I guess Benjamin or Holdney won't bother him, though some other rascals may.
human
Anything more to eat?
gpt
Say, what are you, a human refrigerator? demanded Teeter.
human
I couldn't carry any more pie if I tried.
gpt
It'll be our treat next time, observed Joe.
human
Why didn't George Bland come with you?
gpt
Had to bone on trigonometry, I guess,
human
Does he play on the team?
gpt
Yes, we all do. George is short, I'm on third, and Teeter holds down first sometimes. But you never can tell what Hiram is going to do. He and Luke are always making shifts, and that's what lost us the Blue Banner last season. The fellows would no more than get familiar with their positions than Hiram would shift 'em. Oh, he runs things to suit himself.
human
Spring fever!
gpt
Yes, I've got it, too, admitted Tom.
human
It's in the air, and I'm glad of it. What's that Shakespeare says about 'now is the winter of our discontent?'
gpt
Oh, cheese it! Don't begin spouting poetry. Besides I'm not sure it was Shakespeare, and I don't give a hang. All I know is that Spring is coming, and soon they'll begin getting the diamond in shape.
human
Precious lot of good that will do you--or me, either. Hiram is as down on me as he is on you.
gpt
I know it, and I was going to speak of that, Tom. There's no use in your losing a chance to play on the nine just because I'm on the outs. Why don't you cut loose from me? You can get another room, and maybe if you do----
human
Hold on! cried Tom quickly.
gpt
Do you want me to go, old man?
human
Nonsense! Of course you know I don't.
gpt
Then drop that kind of talk, unless you want a fight on your hands. You and I stick together, Hiram Shell or no Hiram Shell--and Luke Fodick.
human
Well, I didn't know,
gpt
Here, come on; let's have a catch, proposed Tom.
human
I've got an old ball that we used in one of the Star games. Get over there and sting some in to me. Wait until I get my glove on,
gpt
Jove! This is like old times! exclaimed Joe, as he lovingly fingered the horsehide--dirty and stained as it was from many a clouting and drive into the tall grass and daisies.
human
I wish we could go and see a game, even if we couldn't play.
gpt
Same here, came from Tom, as he crouched to receive the ball his chum was about to deliver. Joe wound up and sent in a
human
How was that?
gpt
Pretty good. Not quite over the plate, but you can get 'em there. Let 'em come about so,
human
Watch this,
gpt
A beaut! cried Tom.
human
Give me some more that way, and you'll have the man out.
gpt
Say, what are you fellows doing?
human
Oh, having a little practice,
gpt
Practice for what?
human
Well, the baseball season opens pretty soon, went on Joe,
gpt
No, half snarled Hiram.
human
Say, did you fellows play ball before you came here?
gpt
Sure, put in Tom.
human
Joe was one of the best pitchers on the Silver Stars.
gpt
The Silver Stars? Never heard of 'em!
human
Oh, it was only an amateur nine, Joe admitted modestly.
gpt
Tom here was first baseman, and we had some good country games.
human
Huh! Maybe you came _here_ to play baseball! suggested Hiram with a leer.
gpt
Seems to me I heard that you had some such notion.
human
Well, I have, asserted Joe confidently.
gpt
I like the game, and I'd give a good deal to get on the nine. So would Tom, I guess.
human
First base is filled,
gpt
How about pitcher, asked Tom eagerly, anxious to put in a good word for his chum.
human
I hear you need a new pitcher.
gpt
Oh, you did; eh? exclaimed the bully with an unpleasant laugh.
human
Well, you've got another 'hear' coming. Besides, if there wasn't another pitcher in the country, you wouldn't get a chance, Matson!
gpt
No?
human
No, and a dozen times no! What, you pitch? Say, you may have been all right on a sand-lots team, but there's some class to Excelsior Hall. We don't want any dubs on our nine. You think you might pitch on _my_ team? I guess nixy! We want some fellow who can deliver the goods.
gpt
Joe can!
human
Aw, forget it! sneered Hiram.
gpt
Why, you'd be knocked out of the box first inning with some of the teams we play. You pitch! Ha! Ha! That's pretty rich. I'll have to tell the fellows about this!
human
I didn't ask you to let me pitch,
gpt
No, and you'd better not! snapped Hiram.
human
You pitch! Ha! Ha! It makes me laugh,