The signals in use during the preliminary season had now been discarded
in favor of the more complicated system prepared for the "big game."
Each day there was half an hour of secret practise behind closed gates,
after which the assistant coaches emerged looking very wise and very
solemn. The make-up of the varsity eleven had changed not a little since
the game with Woodby, and was still being changed. Some positions were,
however, permanently filled. For instance, Browning had firmly
established his right to play left-guard, while the deposed Carey found
a rôle eminently suited to him at right tackle. Stowell became first
choice for center, and the veteran Graham went over to the second team.
Stone at left end, Tucker at left tackle, Devoe at right end, and Foster
at quarter, were fixtures.

The problem of finding a man for the position of left half in place of
Neil had finally been solved by moving Paul over there from the other
side and giving his place to Gillam, a last year substitute. Paul's
style of play was very similar to Neil's. He was sure on his feet, a
hard, fast runner, and his line-plunging was often brilliant and
effective. The chief fault with him was that he was erratic. One day he
played finely, the next so listlessly as to cause the coaches to shake
their heads. His goal-kicking left something to be desired, but as yet
he was as good in that line as any save Neil. Gillam, although light,
was a hard line-bucker and a hurdler that was afraid of nothing. In fact
he gave every indication of excelling Paul by the time the Robinson
game arrived.

One cause of Paul's uneven playing was the fact that he was worried
about his studies. He was taking only the required courses, seven in
all, making necessary an attendance of sixteen hours each week; but