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 guess I was pretty poor, though. I don't believe there's much use wasting time on me, Dick. I'd never play half as well as George Tupper."

"I'd like to have you on the team," said Dick thoughtfully.

"I'd like to make it, too, but—well, I guess I'm no born football player, Dickums."

"There isn't such a thing as a born football player, Gordie. You see what you can do this week, will you? You know I want to give you every chance, but I can't afford to play any favorites. You understand, don't you?"

"Of course! I wouldn't want you to, Dickums. I'll do my level best and if I don't make a heap better showing you drop me. Don't think I'm going to be peevish about it. I know perfectly well I haven't any business on the First. So do you."

Dick laughed. "Well, we'll see. To be frank, Gordie, you haven't shown up as well as Tupper or Hansard, and I can't very well keep more than two substitute halves. In fact, to stay with Squad A you'll have to beat out either Hansard or McCoy. Unless—" Dick hesitated and it was not until they had crossed Main Street that he continued. Then, "I wonder how you'd shape up at end, Gordie."