Page:Nid and Nod (IA nidnod00barb).pdf/378

 "I dare say that fellow would have struck out in another minute. Anyhow, Kewpie says he would have!"

"But Kewpie doesn't know, and if he had made a hit it would have tied the score at least. Anyhow, your catch was absolutely marvelous. Every one says so."

A short silence followed. Then Laurie said resolutely: "Look here, I guess you might as well know the truth about that, Polly. I didn't really make that catch."

"Why, what do you mean? I saw you make it!"

"Yes, I know, but—well you see, I didn't intend to do it. I saw that ball coming down straight for the end of my nose, and I just put my hands up to ward it off. Of course every one thinks I'm a regular wonder, but I'm not. It was just an accident. I—I haven't told any one but Ned—and you."

"That doesn't spoil it a bit," declared Polly. "You did catch the ball, didn't you? And if you'd just been trying to keep it from hitting you you wouldn't have really caught it, would you?"