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 "What's the good of knocking every time we get licked?" demanded Nostrand. "It doesn't do any good. Wait till you hear what the trouble was before you begin criticising."

"Everyone knows what the trouble is," responded McCoy gloomily. "Lovering doesn't care whether we win or lose. All he cares about is Springdale."

"Maybe he's right," replied Grover, reflectively and more cheerfully. "After all, if we win that game"

"If we do!" said Thad Brimmer. "But how are we going to if we can't beat these smaller teams? Bet you anything you like that the Varsity would fall dead if it won a game!"

"That's all right," Fudge spoke up, "but you'll all be talking out of the other side of your mouth pretty soon. Dick knows just what he's doing, and don't you forget it!" And Fudge, looking unusually belligerent by reason of his inflamed nose, faced them indignantly. "What if we do get beaten by Corwin and Logan and all those little fellows? What we're after is to smear Springdale, and we'll do it, too, if we'll leave Dick Lovering alone and not kick him in the shins every time we get a