human
Think about what, Tom?
gpt
Oh, you know what I mean--what happened to-day, and how it's going to affect your chances for the nine. They look rather slim, don't they?
human
Well, Tom, I don't mind admitting that they do. I didn't know Hiram was such a high-mucky-muck in baseball here. But there's no use crying over spilled milk. He and I would have had a clash sooner or later, anyhow, and it might as well be first as last.
gpt
It's too blamed bad though,
human
Yes, agreed Joe,
gpt
Well, yes, in a way. Of course I like baseball, but I'm not so crazy after it as you are. Maybe that's why I'm not such a good player. If I can hold down first, or play out in the field, it suits me; but you----
human
I want to be pitcher or nothing, interrupted Joe with a smile,
gpt
Yes, from what I can hear, Hiram has the inside track in the baseball game. He's manager chiefly because he puts up a lot of money for the team, and because his friends, what few he has, are officers in the organization.
human
Who's captain? asked Joe.
gpt
Maybe I could induce him to let me play even if Hiram is down on me.
human
Nothing doing there, replied Tom quickly.
gpt
Luke Fodick is captain, or, rather he was last year, I hear, and he's slated for the same position this season. Luke and Hiram are as thick as such fellows always are. When Hiram is hit Luke does the boo-hoo act for him. No, Luke will be down on you as much as his crony is. But maybe we can get up a second nine, and play some games on our own hook!
human
None of that! Joe exclaimed quickly.
gpt
I'm not an insurgent. I play with the regulars or not at all. They'd be saying all sorts of things against me if you and I tried to start an opposition team.
human
That's so. Still it mightn't be a bad idea, under the circumstances, to have another team, if it wasn't for what the school would say.
gpt
What do you mean?
human
Why, Excelsior got dumped in the interscholastic league last season. They play for the blue banner you know--a sort of prize trophy--and it was won by Morningside Academy, which now holds it. That's why I say it might be a good thing to have some more ginger in the team here. I know you could put it in, after the way you pitched on the Silver Stars when they licked the Resolutes.
gpt
Well, it can't be done I'm afraid, Joe rejoined.
human
There can only be one first team in a school, and I don't want to disrupt things or play second fiddle. If I can't get on the nine I'll have to stay off, that's all. But it's going to be mighty tough to sit still and watch the other fellows play, and all the while just itching to get hold of the ball--mighty tough,
gpt
I wish I could help you, old man, but I can't, said Tom.
human
I suppose this clash with Hiram had to come but I do wish it had held off until after the season opened. Once you were on the nine you could show the fellows what stuff you had in your pitching arm, and then Hiram and Luke could do their worst, but they couldn't get you off the team.
gpt
That's nice of you to say, but I don't know about it, remarked Joe.
human
Well, I'm about done studying. I wish----