Page:Stanwood Pier--Crashaw brothers.djvu/21

Rh “Tackle.”

“I’ll book you for the Pythians,” said Blanchard. “You’ll join the Pythians—not the Corinthians; understand?”

“Just as you say,” replied Crashaw. “Do you mind telling me who you are?”

“This is Payne, and this is Bell, and my name’s Blanchard.”

“Are you the Blanchard that’s captain and quarterback of the St. Timothy’s eleven?”

“The same.”

“Are you really!” Crashaw surveyed him with frank and flattering interest; then he  turned to the others. Are you the Bell that pitches on the nine?”

“Even so,” said Bell.

“But he’s never heard of me,” sighed Payne dolefully.

“I have if you’re the captain of the nine.”

“Are n’t we the celebrated bunch, though!” exclaimed Payne with admiration.

They were all somewhat swelled up with pleasure and pride, and went away entertaining an unusually high opinion of the “new