human
About face!
gpt
Hello, Molly! he said to the flushed girl who stood before him.
human
Where are the other players?
gpt
They aren't coming, cried Molly Sefton breathlessly.
human
A wreck blocked the track. And, oh, Bunny, they want to forfeit the game, and a mean old man is going to make a speech and award the pennant to Belden, and they can't postpone it till some other day because it's the end of the season, and everybody thinks you are afraid to play for the championship--afraid, Bunny! But you aren't, are you? And there are nine of you boys here now, and--
gpt
Just a moment, Molly. Let's understand all this.
human
And now you're here, at last,
gpt
Yes, we 're here, Bunny admitted.
human
An hour or so ago, we didn't think there was a chance of making it, either. You see, we were talking to a farmer who didn't own an automobile and whose horses were all out. He said that he didn't belong to any patrol, so far as he knew, but that he guessed he must be a Boy Scout at heart, because he tried to live up to all the laws of the organization. And then, all at once, he remembered something, and slapped his knee, and said, 'Boys, I haven't done my good turn to-day, and I've just thought of a way. My farm tractor needs overhauling by the agency in Belden. I'll hitch it up to a hayrack and haul you all there.' So he did.
gpt
Wasn't that splendid! said Molly, clapping her hands.
human
And just think, there are exactly nine of you boys--enough for a baseball team!
gpt
Nine of us, yes, agreed Bunny,
human
Play them! urged the girl.
gpt
Beat them! I just know you can do it--you Scouts!
human
I might use Bi behind the bat, he said, weakening,
gpt
He felt this was stretching the facts a bit, but he couldn't very well say Nap was merely better than nobody.
human
Only--well, at the start of the season, there were just two fellows in school who didn't try for the team--Bonfire Cree and Prissy Prissler. I'd have to play them in right and left fields.
gpt
But Bonfire can bat, Molly declared loyally.
human
Don't you remember that home run he knocked the first day of school?
gpt
It was an accident; he says so himself. You saw him fan on three straight balls at your picnic afterward.
human
He can bat, Molly insisted stubbornly.
gpt
I just know he can, if he really has to. And Prissler will do his best to help you win. Besides, Bunny, there's that mean old man who wants to give Belden the pennant, and all those fans who will think you are afraid to play.