A moment later Tom passed the paper over to his father. Dick's
article read:

_There is a possibility that Gridley High School will not be in
the front ranks in football this year. Those who know state that
a "sorehead" combination has been formed by the young male representatives
of some of our wealthier families. These young men, having elected
themselves, so it is said, the salt of the earth, or the cream
of a new Gridley aristocracy, are going to refuse to play in the
football eleven this year.

Even young men who belong to "prominent" families may have some
gifts in the way of football ability. Three or four out of the
dozen or more "soreheads" are really needed if Gridley High School
is to maintain its standing this year. The remainder of the
"soreheads" may, with advantage to the High School eleven, be
excused from offering themselves.

The "soreheads," it is stated, feel that it would be beneath the
dignity of their families for them to play on an eleven which
must, in any event, be recruited largely from the sons of the
Gridley families less fortunately situated financially.

Strangely enough, though they don't intend to play football this
year, these "soreheads" have been training hard of late, one of
their practices being the taking of an early morning cross-country
run together.

The average young man at the High School is as eager as ever to