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 unwillingly across the football guard's lips. "Up to your old tricks. Don't you ever take anything seriously? That home room plan is going to be a big thing. You'll like it."

Perry yawned. "I hope so. I've always had an idea that some day I'd find something I could like at Northfield. How's football going to run this fall?"

"We'll be there with a team," Praska said calmly. "But we've got to elect a new manager."

"What happened to Crandall?" Perry demanded.

"Family moved away. Things will be a bit unsettled, I guess, until the new manager is elected."

"When will that be, George?"

"Oh, about a week after school opens."

"Any—any candidates?"

"Not yet."

"Well—" They had been walking and had come to a corner where their ways parted. "You just tell 'em, George, that I'm ready to start managing any time they say the word."

Praska, after a moment, began to laugh. "More of your jokes," he said. "Only I know you so well, you old string-bean, I'd have thought you meant it. Good-night!"

Perry had meant it. All his life he had wor-