nickname because of his short, stout figure.

"Oh, I believe in taking chances once in a while," went on Frank, "but
of course--"

He did not finish his sentence, and his three chums looked at one
another, for Frank seemed to be dreaming of something far removed from
the ball game.

"He's getting stranger than ever," remarked Bart to Ned in a low tone.
"We'll have to get his mind off of whatever it is that's troubling him."

"That's right," agreed Ned.

"We ought to celebrate this victory in some way," suggested Fenn, as
a crowd of boys, including several members of the ball team, joined
the chums. "We ought to get up a dinner and have speeches and things
like that."

"Nothing to eat, of course," said Ned.

"Oh, sure; lots to eat," Fenn hastened to add.

"Where could we have it?" asked Lem.

"In our barn," replied Fenn. "There's lots of room, and we don't keep
horses any more. It's nice and clean. We could put some boards over
saw-horses to make tables, and have a fine time. We can make all the
noise we want, and no one would say a word."