"But this talk isn't carrying us anywhere," objected Bayliss.
"The question is, what are we going to do with the football problem
this year? We don't want to play in the same eleven with the
cheap muckers, and have 'em think they're the whole eleven. The
call for the football training squad is due to go up some time
next week."

"Bert Dodge says-----" interrupted Paulson.

"Yes, Dodge is the fellow I wish we had here with us today," interposed
Bayliss. "Dodge is the one we ought to listen to."

"Poor Dodge has his own troubles today," murmured Hudson.

"Yes; I know---poor fellow," nodded Bayliss. "I wish we fellows
could help him, but we can't."

"I was talking with Dodge yesterday, before his own troubles broke
loose," went on Hudson. "Dodge's idea is that we ought all to
keep away when the football squad is called. Then Coach Morton
may get an idea of how things are going, and he may see just what
he ought to do."

"But suppose the muckers all answer the call in force?" inquired
Trenholm. "What are we to do then?"

"We're to keep out of the squad this year," responded Bayliss
promptly. "See here, either we fellows organize the Gridley High
School eleven ourselves, and decide who shall play in it, or else