"Just a fresh idiot's attempt to be funny!" growled Teall, his
face now red with mortification.

"Laugh, Ted, confound you!" urged Tom Reade. "Laugh! Don't be
a grouch."

"What you need, Teall," teased Dave Darrin, "is some nerve tonic.
You ought not to let yourself get into such bad shape that you
almost faint when you hit the ball."

For once Ted Teall's ready tongue went back on him. He could
think of nothing to say that would not make him look still more
ridiculous.

"I guess he'll be good, for one game at least," grimaced Dick
as he turned to his teammates.




Chapter VII

TED TEALL FACES THE STORM


The game had gone into the third inning, with the Centrals retired
from the bat and the Souths now in from the field.

In the second inning Greg, backed splendidly by Tom and Dick,