Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/172

144 was an athlete really; and for the first time he felt with a serene satisfaction that his title to the office to which he had a month before been elected had been fairly earned.

Another honor was to be his that night. While the boys were talking, Mr. Eldredge, the master who had assisted in coaching the eleven and who always presided at the banquet which closed the football season, came up.

"Harding," he said, and he beckoned Harry to one side, "I want to give you warning. We expect to hear from you at the banquet to-night in answer to the toast, 'The Substitutes.'"

"Oh," said Harry, pleased and excited, "I'll see if I can think up something. But I have n't much time, have I, sir?"

"We shan't expect a great oratorical effort from you," Mr. Eldredge answered, with a smile, as he turned away.

But Harry, with his imagination already stirred by this new opportunity, thought it quite possible that he might surprise Mr. Eldredge.