in their practice work.

Thad had made another important discovery; indeed, it struck him as
so significant that he could not forbear dragging Hugh down so that
he could place his lips against the other's ear and whisper:

"It's _your_ locker he's trying to open, Hugh, don't you see?"

Hugh, of course, had already noted this circumstance, and felt duly
thrilled, for really it struck him as something more than an accident,
and along the lines of a deep design. Doubtless, his active brain
started to wrestle with the problem as to why any one should wish to
open his locker, since the only things he kept there consisted of his
running jersey and trunks and shoes.

Could it be possible that this was only some small piece of spite-work
engineered by his old and inveterate enemy, Nick Lang, and ordered
carried out by one of the bully's cronies; while Nick himself made
certain to be in good company, so he could easily prove an alibi if
accused of the mean trick.

It seemed almost too contemptible to be true, since Hugh could easily
purchase other garments down at the sporting-goods store in Scranton.
Still, some mean natures are small enough to love to give "stabs" that
might annoy the recipient; and boys sometimes grow so accustomed to
certain articles of wearing apparel that being compelled to "break
in" a new pair of running shoes might lose Hugh the great race!

He gritted his teeth as a wave of indignation swept over him. Really
it was high time this contemptible spirit of annoying those he chose