Page:The Rival Pitchers.djvu/89

Rh teeth. "In fact, what I've learned didn't have much to do with books."

"What was it?"

"Well, it's been made very clear to me that it's something different from being a big fish in a little puddle than acting the part of a small-sized finny resident in a more extended body of water, to put it scientifically."

"Meaning what, if you don't mind translating?" came from Sid as he stretched out on the rather worn and springless sofa.

"Meaning that I had an idea that I was about as good as the next one in the pitching line, but I find I'm not."

"Proceed," came calmly from Sid, who had his eyes shut.

"No, I'm afraid I might disturb your slumbers," said Tom quickly, and there was a curious change in his voice.

Sid sat up quickly.

"I beg your pardon, old man," he exclaimed. "I was listening all right and I'm interested, honest I am. Only my eyes hurt to-night. But it must be quite different, coming from a small village to a fairly large college. Did you have a good nine at Northville?"

"Well," went on Tom, somewhat mollified at his chum's interest, "we cleaned up all the other nines around there. I was considered a crackajack