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 Gordon Simkins, in-field candidate, and Elkins Thurston. The last two were passing, while Beedle and Brewster sat on the floor with their backs against the wire.

"Hello, Nod!" greeted Nate. "Hear you've started a kindergarten for pitchers, sonny."

Nate was a nice chap, and Nod didn't mind being "ragged" by him a bit. "Yes, that's so," Laurie agreed. "Want to join?"

The others laughed; all save Elk. Elk, tossing the ball back to Simkins, sneered, "The way I got it, Proudtree's trying to teach Turner how to catch!"

"Fact is," replied Laurie, "it's sort of mutual. Kewpie's improving his pitching, and I'm improving my catching."

"Can he pitch at all?" asked Dave Brewster.

"Kewpie? Well, he hasn't much just now, but—"

"But you're teaching him the trick, eh?" jeered Elk. "Say, Nate, you'd better watch out or you'll lose your job."

Nate laughed good-naturedly. "That's right. I'll say one thing, though. If Kewpie could pitch the way he can play center I'd be worried.