Part 11 (1/2)
”Have you been here long?”
”Two years; this is my third. It's a nice schools, as schools go. I never had much use for them, though. In the Old Country we never held with them much when I was a lad. I dare say you boys'll be tryin' to play football like all the rest of them?”
”We're going out for the team,” said Steve, ”although I guess, from what a fellow told us last night, we don't stand much show. He said that most of the last year's players were back this fall.”
”That's so. We lost but four by graduation. They were some o' the best in the bunch, though. 'Tis queer how the ones that is gone is always the best, ain't it? Who was this feller you was talkin' to?”
”His name is Miller. Do you know him? I suppose you must, though.”
”Miller? Do you mean Andy Miller?”
”I don't know. He didn't tell us his other name.”
”The initials were A. L. M., though,” reminded Tom.
”That's right. Is he a pretty good player?”
”He does fairly well,” answered Danny Moore carelessly. ”Not that I pay much heed to him, though. I see him around sometimes. I wouldn't think much of what he tells you, though. I don't. If you see him I'd be obliged if you'd tell him that.”
But there was a twinkle in Danny's eye and Steve resolved to tell Miller no such thing. ”What position does he play?” he asked.
Danny frowned thoughtfully. ”It might be end, right or left. I forget. I pay no heed to the likes o' him. He's only the captain, d'ye see?”
”Captain!” exclaimed the two boys startledly, eyeing each other in amazement.
”Sure,” said Danny. ”An' why not?”
”Er--there's no reason,” replied Steve, ”only--he didn't say anything about being captain.”
”And why would he be after incriminating himself?” Danny demanded.
The boys digested this news in silence for a moment. Then,
”Does that fellow who was just in here play?” asked Tom.
”He does. He plays right guard, and he plays it well. I'll say that for him. Well, it's catchin' no fish I am sittin' here ga.s.sin' with you fellers. Make yourselves to home. I must be gettin' on.”
”I guess we'll go, too,” said Steve.
They followed the trainer up the stairway to the hall above. There he pulled a bunch of keys from his pocket and unlocked the big front door for them. ”Now, look at that, will you?” he exclaimed in amazement as he turned a small key over between his fingers. ”I wouldn't be surprised if that key would fit them lockers down there. Ain't that a pity, an' him wantin' it all the time?”
The boys smiled and agreed gravely that it was. Danny sighed, shook his head and dropped the keys back into his pocket. ”If you have trouble with him,” he said to Steve, ”hit for his head, boy, for you'll make no impression on the body of him.”
”Thanks, but I don't expect he will bother me again.”
”I know. I'm only tellin' you. A word to the wise, d'ye mind? Good luck to you, boys.”
”Thanks. We're much obliged to you, Mr. Moore.”
”Mr. Moore! Help! Listen.” And Danny bent confidentially. ”I won't be mindin' if you call me Mister Moore when we're by ourselves, d'ye see; but don't be doin' it in the presence of others. Them as didn't know might think I was one of the faculty, d'ye see. Call me Danny an' save me self-respect!”