``Whit，it’samagnificentsight——thatbeautifulgreenfieldandthestands。Whatacrowdoffans！Why，Ineversawarealbaseballcrowdbefore。Therearetwentythousandhere。Andthere’sadifferenceinthefeeling。It’ssharper——newtome。It’sbigleaguebaseball。Notasoulinthatcrowdeverheardofyou，but，Ibelieve，tomorrowthewholebaseballworldwillhaveheardofyou。Mr。Morriseyknows。Isawitinhisface。CaptainSpearsknows。Connieknows。I
know。’’
Thensheliftedherfaceand，pullinghimdownwithinreach，shekissedhim。Nantookherhusband’sworkindeadearnest;shegloriedinit，andperhapsshehadasmuchtodowithmakinghimagreatpitcherasanyofus。
TheRubeleftthebox，andIfoundaseatbetweenNanandMilly。Thefieldwasasplendidsight。Thosebleachersmademeglowwithmanagerialsatisfaction。Onthefieldbothteamsprancedanddancedandbouncedaroundinpractice。
InspiteoftheabsolutelylastdegreeofegotismmanifestedbythePhiladelphiaplayers，Icouldnotbutadmiresuchasplendidbodyofmen。
``Sothesearethechampionsoflastseasonandofthisseason，too，’’commentedMilly。``Idon’twonder。Howswiftlyandcleanlytheyplay！
Theyappearnottoexertthemselves，yettheyalwaysgettheballinperfecttime。Itallremindsmeof——oftherhythmofmusic。Andthatchampionbatterandrunner——thatLaneincenter——
isn’thejustbeautiful？Hewalksandrunslikeablue—ribbonwinneratthehorseshow。Itellyouonething，Connie，theseQuakersareondressparade。’’
``Oh，theseQuakershatethemselves，Idon’tthink！’’retortedNan。Beingarabidgirl—fanitwas，ofcourse，impossibleforNantospeakbaseballconvictionsorgossipwithoutcharacteristicbaseballslang。``Stuckonthemselves！Ineversawthelikeinmylife。ThatfellowLaneissoswelledthathecan’tgetdownoffhistoes。Buthe’sawonder，Imustadmitthat。They’reabunchofstars。Easy，fast，trained——they’remachines，andI’llbetthey’reIndianstofight。Icanseeitstickingoutalloverthem。ThiswillcertainlybesomegamewithWhithandingupthatjumpballofhistothisgangofchamps。But，Connie，I’llgoyouWhitbeatsthem。’’
Ilaughedandrefusedtogamble。
Thegongrang;thecrowdseemedtohumandrustlesoftlytoquietattention;UmpireMcClungcalledthenamesofthebatteries;thenthefamiliar``Play！’’
Therewastheusualapplausefromthegrandstandandwelcomecheersfromthebleachers。
TheRubewasthelastplayertogoout。
Morriseywasamanagerwhoalwaysplayedtothestands，andnodoubtheheldtheRubebackforeffect。Ifso，heoughttohavebeengratified。
ThatmomentremindedmeofmyownteamandaudienceupontheoccasionoftheRube’sdebut。
Itwasthesameonlyhereithappenedinthebigleague，beforeachampionshipteamandtwentythousandfans。
Theroarthatwentupfromthebleachersmightwellhavescaredanunseasonedpitcheroutofhiswits。AndtheQuakerslinedupbeforetheirbenchandgazedatthisnewcomerwhohadthenervetowalkouttheretothebox。Cogswellstoodonthecoachingline，lookedattheRubeandthenheldupbotharmsandturnedtowardtheChicagobenchasiftoaskMorrisey：``Wheredidyougetthat？’’
Nan，quickasaflashtocatchapoint，leanedoverthebox—railandlookedatthechampionswithfireinhereye。``Oh，youjustwait！wait！’’
shebitoutbetweenherteeth。
CertainitwasthattherewasnoonewhoknewtheRubeaswellasI;andIknewbeyondtheshadowofadoubtthatthehourbeforemewouldseebrighteningofagreatstarpitcheronthebigleaguehorizon。Itwasboundtobeafullhourforme。IhadmuchreasontobegratefultoWhitHurtle。Hehadpulledmyteamoutofarutandwonmethepennant，andthefivethousanddollarsIgotforhisreleaseboughtthelittlecottageonthehillforMillyandme。Thentherewasmyprideinhavingdevelopedhim。AndallthatI
neededtocalmme，settlemedownintoassuranceandkeencriticismofthegame，wastoseetheRubepitchafewballswithhisoldincomparablespeedandcontrol。
Berne，firstbatterfortheQuakers，walkeduptotheplate。HewasanotherBillyHamilton，builtlikeawedge。Isawhimlaughatthelongpitcher。
Whitswayedback，coiledanduncoiled。Somethingthin，white，glancing，shotatBerne。Heducked，escapingtheballbyasmallermarginthanappearedgoodforhisconfidence。HespokelowtotheRube，andwhathesaidwasprobablynotflavoredwiththemilkoffriendlysweetness。
``Wild！What’dyoulookfor？’’calledoutCogswellscornfully。``He’sfromthewoods！’’
TheRubeswunghisenormouslylongarm，tookanenormousstridetowardthirdbase，andpitchedagain。Itwasoneofhisqueerdeliveries。Theballcuttheplate。
``Ho！Ho！’’yelledtheQuakers。
TheRube’snextonewashisoutcurve。ItbroketowardthecorneroftheplateandwouldhavebeenastrikehadnotBernepoppeditup。
Callopy，thesecondhitter，facedtheRube，andhe，too，afterthemannerofballplayers，madesomeremarkmeantonlyfortheRube’sears。
Callopywasafamouswaiter。Hedrovemorepitchersmadwithhisimplacablepatiencethananyhitterintheleague。ThefirstoneoftheRube’shewaitedoncrossedthein—corner;thesecondcrossedtheout—cornerandthethirdwasRube’swide，slow，tantalizing``stitch—ball，’’aswecallit，forthereasonthatitcamesoslowabattercouldcountthestitches。IbelieveCallopywaitedonthatcurve，decidedtohitit，changedhismindandwaitedsomemore，andfinallytheballmaddenedhimandhehadtopokeatit，theresultbeingaweakgrounder。
Thenthegraceful，powerfulLane，championbatter，championbaserunner，steppedtotheplate。Howabaseballcrowd，anycrowd，anywhere，lovesthechampionbatter！TheovationLanereceivedmademewonder，withthisimpressivereceptioninahostilecamp，whatcouldbethemannerofitonhishomefield？Anyboyball—
playerfromthelotsseeingLaneknockthedirtoutofhisspikesandstepintopositionwouldhaveknownhewasa400hitter。
IwascurioustoseewhattheRubewouldpitchLane。ItmusthavebeenanewandsignificantmomentforHurtle。SomepitchersactuallywiltwhenfacingahitterofLane’sreputation。Buthe，onhisbaseballside，waspeculiarlyunemotional。
Undoubtedlyhecouldgetfurious，butthatonlyincreasedhiseffectiveness。TomyamazementtheRubepitchedLanealittleeasyball，notinanysenselikehisfloaterorstitch—ball，butjustalittletossthatanyyoungstermighthavetossed。
Ofallpossibleballs，Lanewasnotexpectingsuchasthat，andheletitgo。Ifthenerveofitamazedme，whatdiditnotdotoLane？Isawhisfacegofieryred。Thegrandstandmurmured;letoutoneshortyelpofpleasure;theQuakerplayerschaffedLane。
Thepitchwasastrike。Iwasgrippingmychairnow，andforthenextpitchIprophesiedtheRube’swonderfuljumpball，whichhehadnotyetused。Heswunglong，andattheendofhisswingseemedtojerktensely。Iscarcelysawtheball。
Ithadmarvelousspeed。Lanedidnotoffertohitit，anditwasastrike。HelookedattheRube，thenatCogswell。Thatveteranappearedamused。
Thebleachers，happyandsurprisedtobeabletoyellatLane，yelledheartily。
AgainItookituponmyselftointerprettheRube’spitchingmind。Hehadanotherballthathehadnotused，adrop，anunhittabledrop。I
thoughthewouldusethatnext。Hedid，andthoughLanereacheditwiththebat，thehitwasafeebleone。Hehadbeenfooledandthesidewasout。
Poole，thebestoftheQuaker’spitchingstaff，walkedouttotheslab。Hewasaleft—hander，andChicago，havingsomanyplayerswhobattedleft—handed，alwaysfoundasouthpawahardnuttocrack。Cogswell，fieldmanagerandcaptainoftheQuakers，kickedupthedustaroundfirstbaseandyelledtohismen：``Gitinthegame！’’
StaatshitPoole’sspeedballintodeepshortandwasout;MitchellflewouttoBerne;Randgroundedtosecond。
Whiletheteamsagainchangedsidesthefanscheered，andthenindulgedinthefirststretchofthegame。Icalculatedthattheywouldbestretchingtheirneckspresently，tryingtokeeptrackoftheRube’swork。Nanleanedontherailingabsorbedinherownhopeandfaith。Millychatteredaboutthisandthat，peopleintheboxes，andthechancesofthegame。
Myowninterest，whileitdidnotwhollyprecludethefortunesoftheChicagoplayersatthebat，wasmostlyconcernedwiththeRube’sfortunesinthefield。
IntheRube’shalfinningheretiredBannisterandBlandyonfeebleinfieldgrounders，andworkedCogswellintohittingawidecurvehighintheair。
PoolemeanttowinfortheQuakersifhisgoodarmandcunningdidnotfailhim，andhispitchingwasmasterly。McCloskeyfanned，Hutchinsonfouledout，Brewstergotashortsafeflyjustoutofreach，andHoffnerhittosecond，forcingBrewster。
WithDuganupfortheQuakersinthethirdinning，CogswellandBannister，fromthecoachinglines，begantotalktotheRube。Myears，keenfromlongpractice，caughtsomeoftheremarksinspiteofthenoisybleachers。
``Say，busher，you’velastedlonger’nweexpected，butyoudon’tknowit！’’
``Goldarnyoucityballtossers！Nowyoujestletmealone！’’
``We’recomin’throughtherye！’’
``Mytop—heavyrusticfriend，you’llneedanairshippresently，whenyougoup！’’
Allthebadinagewasgood—natured，whichwassureproofthattheQuakershadnotarrivedatanythinglikerealappreciationoftheRube。Theywereaccustomedtoobservethetryingoutofmanyyoungsters，ofwhomninety—nineoutofahundredfailedtomakegood。
Duganchoppedatthreestrikesandslammedhisbatdown。HuckerhitaslowflytoHoffer。
Threemenoutonfivepitchedballs！Cogswell，oldwarhorsethathewas，stoodafullmomentandwatchedtheRubeashewalkedintothebench。AnideahadpenetratedCogswell’sbrain，andIwouldhavegivensomethingtoknowwhatitwas。Cogswellwasagreatbaseballgeneral，andthoughhehadapreferenceformaturedball—
playershecould，whenpressed，seethequalityinayoungster。Hepickeduphismittandtookhispositionatfirstwithagruffwordtohisplayers。
RandforChicagoopenedwithahit，andthebleachers，readytostrikefire，begantocheerandstamp。WhenMcCloskey，inanattempttosacrifice，beatouthisbuntthecrowdroared。Rand，eingslowonhisfeet，hadnotattemptedtomakethirdontheplay。Hutchinsonsacrificed，neatlyadvancingtherunners。Thenthebleachersplayedthelongrollingdrumofclatteringfeetwithshrillwhistlingaccompaniment。BrewsterbattedawickedgroundballtoBlandy。Hedoveintothedust，cameupwiththeball，andfeintingtothrowhomehewheeledandshottheballtoCogswell，whointurnshotittotheplatetoheadRand。Runnerandballgotthereapparentlytogether，butUmpireMcClung’sdecisionwentagainstRand。Itwasfine，fastwork，buthowthebleachersstormedatMcClung！
``Rob—b—ber！’’
AgaintheheadoftheQuakers’formidablelistwasup。IknewfromthewaythatCogswellpacedthecoachingboxthatthewordhadgoneouttolooktheRubeoverseriously。Therewerepossibilitieseveninrubes。
Bernecarefullysteppedintothebatter’sbox，asifhewantedtobecertaintothebreadthofahairhowclosehewastotheplate。HewastherethistimetowatchtheRubepitch，toworkhimout，toseewhatwaswhat。Hecrouchedlow，anditwouldhavebeenextremelyhardtoguesswhathewasupto。Hisgreatplay，however，washisabilitytodumptheballandbeatoutthethrowtofirst。Itdevelopedpresently，thatthiswasnowhisintentionandthattheRubeknewitandpitchedhimtheoneballwhichisalmostimpossibletobunt——ahighincurve，overtheinsidecorner。
TherewasnomistakingtheRube’smagnificentcontrol。Trueasaplumblineheshotuptheball——once，twice，andBernefouledboth——twostrikes。Grudginglyhewaitedonthenext，butit，too，wasoverthecorner，andBernewentoutonstrikes。Thegreatcrowddidnot，ofcourse，graspthefinesseoftheplay，butBernehadstruckout——thatwasenoughforthem。
Callopy，thefamousspiker，whohadputmanyaplayeroutofthegameforweeksatatime，strodeintothebatter’splace，andhe，too，wasnotatthemomentmakinganyfunnyremarks。TheRubedeliveredaballthatallbuthitCallopyfaironthehead。Itwasthesecondnarrowescapeforhim，andtheroarheletoutshowedhowheresentedbeingthreatenedwithalittleofhisownmedicine。Asmighthavebeenexpected，andverylikelyastheRubeintended，Callopyhitthenextball，asweepingcurve，upovertheinfield。
Iwastryingtoseealltheintricatedetailsofthemotiveandactiononthefield，anditwasnoteasytowatchseveralplayersatonce。ButwhileBerneandCallopywerehavingtheirtroubleswiththeRube，IkeptthetailofmyeyeonCogswell。Hewasprowlingupanddownthethird—
baseline。
Hewasmissingnosigns，noindications，noprobabilities，nopossibilities。Buthewasindoubt。LikeahawkhewaswatchingtheRube，and，aswell，thecraftybatters。TheinningmightnottellthetruthastotheRube’sluck，thoughitwouldtesthiscontrol。TheRube’sspeedandcurves，withoutanyheadwork，wouldhavemadehimapitcherofnomeanability，butwasthisremarkableplacingofballsjustaccident？Thatwasthequestion。
WhenBernewalkedtothebenchIdistinctlyheardhimsay：``Comeoutofit，youdubs。Isayyoucan’tworkhimorwaithim。He’speggin’
’emoutofagun！’’
SeveraloftheQuakerswerestandingoutfromthebench，allintentontheRube。Hehadstirredthemup。Firstitwashumor;thenridicule，curiosity，suspicion，doubt。AndIknewitwouldgrowtowonderandcertainty，thenfierceattackfrombothtonguesandbats，andlastly——forballplayersaregenerous——unstintedadmiration。
Somehow，notonlythefirstclimaxesofagamebutthedecisions，theconvictions，thereputationsofpitchersandfieldersevolvearoundthegreathitter。Plainitwasthatthevastthrongofspectators，eagertobelieveinanewfind，wildtowelcomeanewstar，yetloathtotrusttotheirownimpulsivejudgments，heldthemselvesincheckuntiloncemorethegreatLanehadfacedtheRube。
Thefieldgrewtolerablyquietjustthen。TheRubedidnotexerthimself。Thecriticalstagehadnoconcernforhim。HepitchedLaneahighcurve，overtheplate，butinclose，aballmeanttobehitandaballhardtohitsafely。Laneknewthataswellasanyhitterintheworld，sohelettwoofthecurvesgoby——twostrikes。AgaintheRuberelentlesslygavehimthesameball;andLane，hittingviciously，spitefully，becausehedidnotwanttohitthatkindofaball，sentupaflythatRandeasilycaptured。
``Oh，Idon’tknow！Prettyfair，Iguess！’’
yelledatenor—voicedfan;andhestruckthekey—
note。AndthebleachersrosetotheirfeetandgavetheRubetherousingcheerofthebrotherhoodoffans。
Hofferwalkedtofirstonabaseonballs。
Sweeneyadvancedhim。TheRubesentupagiantflytoCallopy。ThenStaatshitsafely，scoringthefirstrunofthegame。Hoffercrossedtheplateamidvociferousapplause。MitchellendedtheinningwithaflytoBlandy。
WhatachangehadcomeoverthespiritofthatQuakeraggregation！Itwassomethingtomakeamanthrillwithadmirationand，ifhehappenedtofavorChicago，tofireallhisfightingblood。
TheplayerspouredupontheRubeacontinuousstreamofscathingabuse。Theywouldhavemadearagingdevilofamild—manneredclergyman。
Someofthemwereskilledincausticwit，mostofthemwerepossessedofforkedtongues;andCogswell，heofathousandbaseballbattles，hadageniusforinflaminganyonehetormented。Thiswasmostlybeyondthekenoftheaudience，andbehindthebackoftheumpire，butitwasperfectlyplaintome。TheQuakersweretryingtorattletheRube，atrickofthegameasfairforonesideasfortheother。Isattheretightinmyseat，grimlygloryinginthewaytheRuberefusedtobedisturbed。Butthelioninhimwasrampant。
Fortunately，itwashisstrangegifttopitchbettertheangrierhegot;andthemoretheQuakersflayedhim，themorehelethimselfouttotheircrushinghumiliation。
TheinningsswiftlypassedtotheeighthwithChicagofailingtoscoreagain，withPhiladelphiafailingtoscoreatall。Onescratchhitandasingle，giftstotheweakendofthebattinglist，wereallthelankpitcherallowedthem。LongsincethebleachershadcrownedtheRube。Hewastheirsandtheywerehis;andtheirvoiceshadthepeculiarstrangledhoarsenessduetoover—exertion。
Thegrandstand，slowertounderstandandapprove，arrivedlater;butitgotthereabouttheseventh，andladies’glovesandmen’shatsweresacrificed。
IntheeighththeQuakersreluctantlyyieldedtheirmeedofpraise，showingitbyacessationoftheirsavagewordyattacksontheRube。Itwasakindofsullenrespect，wrungfromthebosomofgreatfoes。
Thentheninthinningwasathand。AsthesideschangedIrememberedtolookatthefemininegroupinourbox。Millywasinamostbeautifulglowofhappinessandexcitement。Nansatrigid，leaningovertherail，herfacewhiteanddrawn，andshekeptsayinginalowvoice：
``Willitneverend？Willitneverend？’’Mrs。
Nelsonstaredwearily。
ItwastheQuakers’laststand。Theyfaceditasateamthathadwonmanyagameintheninthwithtwomenout。DugancoulddonothingwiththeRube’sunhittabledrop，foradropcurvewashisweakness，andhestruckout。HuckerhittoHoffer，whofumbled，makingthefirsterrorofthegame。Pooledumpedtheball，asevidentlytheRubedesired，forhehandedupastraightone，butthebuntrolledteasinglyandtheRube，beingbigandtall，failedtofielditintime。
Suddenlythewholefieldgrewquiet。ForthefirsttimeCogswell’scoachingwasclearlyheard。
``Oneout！Takealead！Takealead！Gothroughthistime。Gothrough！’’
Coulditbepossible，Iwondered，thataftersuchawonderfulexhibitionofpitchingtheRubewouldloseoutintheninth？
ThereweretwoQuakersonbase，oneout，andtwoofthebesthittersintheleagueondeck，withachanceofLanegettingup。
``Oh！Oh！Oh！’’moanedNan。
Iputmyhandonhers。``Don’tquit，Nan。
You’llneverforgiveyourselfifyouquit。Takeitfromme，Whitwillpulloutofthishole！’’
WhataholethatwasfortheRubeonthedayofhisbreakintofastcompany！Imeasureditbyhisremarkabledeliberation。HetookalongtimetogetreadytopitchtoBerne，andwhenheletdriveitwasasifhehadbeentriflingallbeforeinthatgame。IcouldthinkofnowaytofigureitexceptthatwhentheballlefthimtherewasscarcelyanyappreciableintervaloftimebeforeitcrackedinSweeney’smitt。ItwastheRube’sdrop，whichIbelievedunhittable。Berneletitgoby，shakinghisheadasMcClungcalleditastrike。Anotherfollowed，whichBernechoppedatvainly。Thenwiththesameupheavalofhisgiantframe，thesameflingingoflongarmsandlungingforward，theRubedeliveredathirddrop。
AndBernefailedtohitit。
Thevoicelessbleachersstampedonthebenchesandthegrandstandlikewisethundered。
CallopyshowedhiscraftbysteppingbackandliningRube’shighpitchtoleft。Hofferleapedacrossandplungeddown，gettinghisglovedhandinfrontoftheball。Thehitwassafe，butHoffer’svalianteffortsavedatiescore。
Laneup！Threemenonbases！Twoout！
NotimprobablythereweremanythousandspectatorsofthatthrillingmomentwhopitiedtheRubeforthefatewhichplacedLaneatthebatthen。ButIwasnotoneofthem。Neverthelessmythroatwasclogged，mymouthdry，andmyearsfullofbells。IcouldhavedonesomethingterribletoHurtleforhisdeliberation，yetIknewhewasprovinghimselfwhatIhadalwaystriedtotrainhimtobe。
Thenheswung，steppedout，andthrewhisbodywiththeball。Thiswashisrarelyusedpitch，hislastresort，hisfastriseballthatjumpedupalittleattheplate。Lanestruckunderit。HowsignificantontheinstanttoseeoldCogswell’shandsgoup！AgaintheRubepitched，andthistimeLanewatchedtheballgoby。Twostrikes！
Thatwholeaudienceleapedtoitsfeet，whispering，yelling，screaming，roaring，bawling。
TheRubereceivedtheballfromSweeneyandquickaslightninghespeditplateward。ThegreatLanestruckout！Thegamewasover——Chicago，1;Philadelphia，0。
InthatwhirlingmomentwhenthecrowdwentmadandMillywashuggingme，andNanpoundingholesinmyhat，Ihadaqueersortofblankness，asectionoftimewhenmysensationsweredeadlocked。
``Oh！Connie，look！’’criedNan。IsawLaneandCogswellwarmlyshakinghandswiththeRube。Thenthehungryclamoringfanstumbleduponthefieldandswarmedabouttheplayers。
WereuponNankissedmeandMilly，andthenkissedMrs。Nelson。InthatradiantmomentNanwasallsweetness。
``ItistheRube’sbreakintofastcompany，’’shesaid。
THEKNOCKER
``Yes，Carroll，Igotmynotice。Maybeit’snosurprisetoyou。Andthere’sonemorethingIwanttosay。You’re`it’onthisteam。You’rethetopnotchcatcherintheWesternLeagueandoneofthebestballplayersinthegame——butyou’reaknocker！’’
MadgeEllstonheardyoungSheldonspeak。
Shesawtheflashinhisgrayeyesandtheheatofhisbronzedfaceashelookedintentlyatthebigcatcher。
``Fadeaway，sonny。Backtothebush—leagueforyours！’’repliedCarroll，derisively。``You’renotfastenoughforKansasCity。Youlookprettygoodinauniformandyou’reswiftonyourfeet，butyoucan’thit。You’vegotaglassarmandyourunbaseslikeanostrichtryingtoside。Thatnoticewascomingtoyou。Golearnthegame！’’
ThenacrowdofplayerstroopednoisilyoutofthehotellobbyandsweptSheldonandCarrolldowntheporchstepstowardthewaitingomnibus。
Madge’suncleownedtheKansasCityclub。
Shehadlivedmostofhernineteenyearsinabaseballatmosphere，butaccustomedasshewastobaseballtalkandthepeculiarbanteringsandbickeringsoftheplayers，thereweretimeswhenitseemedallGreek。Ifaplayergothis``notice’’
itmeanthewouldbereleasedintendays。A
``knocker’’wasaballplayerwhospokeillofhisfellowplayers。Thisscrapofconversation，however，hadanunusualinterestbecauseCarrollhadpaidcourttoherforayear，andSheldon，comingtotheteamthatspring，hadfallendesperatelyinlovewithher。ShelikedSheldonprettywell，butCarrollfascinatedher。Shebegantowonderiftherewerebadfeelingsbetweentherivals——tocomparethem——togetawayfromherselfandjudgethemimpersonally。
WhenPatDonahue，theveteranmanageroftheteamcameout，Madgegreetedhimwithasmile。ShehadalwaysgottenonfamouslywithPat，notwithstandingherimperiousdesiretohandlethemanagerialreinsherselfuponoccasions。
Patbeamedalloverhisroundruddyface。
``MissMadge，youweren’ttotheparkyesterdayan’welostwithoutourprettymascot。Weshureneededyou。Denver’splayin’atafastclip。’’
``I’mcomingouttoday，’’repliedMissEllston，thoughtfully。``Pat，what’saknocker？’’
``Now，MissMadge，areyouaskin’methatafterI’vebeencoachin’youinbaseballforyears？’’questionedPat，indistress。
``Iknowwhataknockeris，aseverybodyelsedoes。ButIwanttoknowtherealmeaning，theinside—ballofit，touseyourfavoritesaying。’’
StudyinghergravefacewithshrewdeyesDonahueslowlylosthissmile。
``Theinside—ballofit，eh？Come，let’ssitoverhereabit——thesun’sshurewarmtoday……
MissMadge，aknockeristhestrangestmanknowninthegame，thehardesttodealwithan’
whateverybaseballmanagerhatesmost。’’
Donahuetoldherthathebelievedtheterm``knocker’’cameoriginallyfrombaseball;thatingeneralittypifiedtheplayerwhostrengthenedhisownstandingbybelittlingtheabilityofhisteam—mates，andbyenlarginguponhisownsuperiorqualities。Butthereweremanyphasesofthispeculiartype。Someplayerswerenaturalbornknockers;othersacquiredthenameintheirlateryearsinthegamewhenyoungermenthreatenedtowintheirplaces。Someofthebestplayerseverproducedbybaseballhadthehabitinitsmostviolentform。Therewereplayersofridiculouslypoorabilitywhoheldtheirjobsonthestrengthofthisonetrait。Itwasamysteryhowtheymisledmagnatesandmanagersalike;howformonthstheyheldtheirplaces，weakeningateam，oftenkeepingagoodteamdownintherace;allfromsheerboldsuggestionoftheirownworthandotherplayers’worthlessness。
Strangestofallwastheknockers’powertodisorganize;toengenderabadspiritbetweenmanagementandteamandamongtheplayers。
Theteamwhichwaswithoutoneoftheparasitesofthegamegenerallystoodwellupintheraceforthepennant，thoughtherehadbeenchampionshipteamsnotedforgreatknockersaswellasgreatplayers。
``It’sshurestrange，MissMadge，’’saidPatinconclusion，shakinghisgrayhead。``I’veplayedhundredsofknockers，an’releasedthem，too。
Knockersalwaysgetitintheend，buttheygoonfoolin’meandworkin’mejustthesameasifI
wasayoungsterwithmyfirstteam。They’repartan’parcelofthegame。’’
``Doyoulikethesemenoffthefield——outsideofbaseball，Imean？’’
``No，Ishuredon’t，an’Ineverseenoneyetthatwasn’tthesameoffthefieldashewason。’’
``Thankyou，Pat。IthinkIunderstandnow。
And——oh，yes，there’sanotherthingIwanttoaskyou。What’sthematterwithBillieSheldon？
UncleGeorgesaidhewasfallingoffinhisgame。
ThenI’vereadthepapers。Billiestartedoutwellinthespring。’’
``Didn’the？Iwassurethinkin’IhadafindinBillie。Well，he’slosthisnerve。He’sinabadslump。It’sworriedmefordays。I’mgoin’
toreleaseBillie。Theteamneedsashake—up。
That’swhereBilliegetstheworstofit，forhe’sreallythemakin’ofastar;buthe’sslumped，an’
nowknockin’hasmadehimletdown。There，MissMadge，that’sanexampleofwhatI’vejustbeentellin’you。An’youcanseethatamanagerhashistroubles。Thesehulkin’athletesarealotofspoiledbabiesan’Ioftengetsickofmyjob。’’
ThatafternoonMissEllstonwasinabrownstudyallthewayouttothebaseballpark。Shearrivedratherearlierthanusualtofindthegrand—
standempty。TheDenverteamhadjustcomeuponthefield，andtheKansasCityplayerswerepractisingbattingattheleftofthediamond。
Madgewalkeddowntheaisleofthegrandstandandoutalongthereporters’boxes。SheaskedoneoftheyoungstersonthefieldtotellMr。
Sheldonthatshewouldliketospeakwithhimamoment。
Billieeagerlyhurriedfromtheplayers’benchwithalookofsurpriseandexpectancyonhissun—
tannedface。Madgeexperiencedforthefirsttimeasuddensenseofshynessathiscoming。Hislitheformandhisnimblestepsomehowgaveherapleasurethatseemedoldyetwasnew。
Whenhenearedher，and，liftinghiscap，spokehername，theshadeofgloominhiseyesandlinesoftroubleonhisfacedispelledherconfusion。
``Billie，Pattellsmehe’sgivenyoutendays’
notice，’’shesaid。
``It’strue。’’
``What’swrongwithyou，Billie？’’
``Oh，I’vestruckabadstreak——can’thitorthrow。’’
``Areyouaquitter？’’
``No，I’mnot，’’heansweredquickly，flushingadarkred。
``Youstartedoffthisspringwitharush。Youplayedbrilliantlyandforawhileledtheteaminbatting。UncleGeorgethoughtsowellofyou。
Thencamethisspellofbadform。But，Billie，it’sonlyaslump;youcanbrace。’’
``Idon’tknow，’’hereplied，despondently。
``AwhilebackIgotmymindoffthegame。Then——peoplewhodon’tlikemehavetakenadvantageofmyslumpto————’’
``Toknock，’’interruptedMissEllston。
``I’mnotsayingthat，’’hesaid，lookingawayfromher。
``ButI’msayingit。Seehere，BillieSheldon，myuncleownsthisteamandPatDonahueismanager。
Ithinktheybothlikemealittle。NowI
don’twanttoseeyouloseyourplace。Perhaps————’’
``Madge，that’sfineofyou——butIthink——Iguessit’dbebestformetoleaveKansasCity。’’
``Why？’’
``Youknow，’’hesaidhuskily。``I’velostmyhead——I’minlove——Ican’tthinkofbaseball——
I’mcrazyaboutyou。’’
MissEllston’ssweetfacegrewrosy，cleartothetipsofherears。
``BillieSheldon，’’shereplied，spiritedly。
``You’retalkingnonsense。Evenifyouwerewerethatway，it’dbenoreasontoplaypoorball。Don’tthrowthegame，asPatwouldsay。
Makeabrace！Getuponyourtoes！Tearthings！Riptheboardsoffthefence！Don’tquit！’’
Sheexhaustedhervocabularyofbaseballlanguageifnotherenthusiasm，andpausedinblushingconfusion。
``Madge！’’
``Willyoubraceup？’’
``WillI——willI！’’heexclaimed，breathlessly。
Madgemurmuredahurriedgood—byeand，turningaway，wentupthestairs。Heruncle’sprivateboxwasuponthetopofthegrandstandandshereacheditinasomewhatbewilderedstateofmind。ShehadaconfusedsenseofhavingappearedtoencourageBillie，anddidnotknowwhethershefelthappyorguilty。Theflameinhiseyeshadwarmedallherblood。Then，assheglancedovertherailingtoseethepowerfulBurnsCarroll，thereroseinherbreastapanicatstrangevariancewithherotherfeelings。
ManytimeshadMadgeEllstonviewedthefieldandstandsandtheoutlyingcountryfromthishighvantagepoint;butneverwiththesameminglingemotions，norhadthesunshineeverbeensogolden，thewoodsandmeadowssogreen，thediamondsosmoothandvelvety，thewholescenesogailybright。
Denverhadalwaysbeenagooddrawingcard，andhavingwonthefirstgameofthepresentseries，badefairtodrawarecordattendance。
Thelonglinesofbleachers，alreadypackedwiththefamiliarmottledcrowd，sentforthamerry，rattlinghum。Soonasteadystreamofwell—
dressedmenandwomenpouredinthegatesandupthegrand—standstairs。Thesoftmurmurofmanyvoicesinlightconversationandlaughterfilledtheair。Thepeanutvendersandscore—cardsellerskeptuptheirinsistentshrillcries。Thebaseballparkwasalivenowandrestless;theatmosphereseemedchargedwithfreedomandpleasure。Theplayersrompedlikeskittishcolts，thefansshriekedtheirwitticisms——allsoundandmovementssuggestedplay。
MadgeEllstonwassomehowrelievedtoseeherunclesittinginoneofthelowerboxes。Duringthisgameshewantedtobealone，andshebelievedshewouldbe，forthePresidentoftheLeagueanddirectorsoftheKansasCityteamwerewithheruncle。WhenthebellrangtocalltheDenverteaminfrompracticethestandscouldholdnomore，andtheroped—offsidelineswerefillingupwithnoisymenandboys。FromherseatMadgecouldseerightdownupontheplayers’bench，andwhenshecaughtbothSheldonandCarrollgazingupwardshedrewbackwithsharplycontrastedthrills。
Thenthebellrangagain，thebleachersrolledouttheirwelcomingacclaim，andplaywascalledwithKansasCityatthebat。
RightoffthereelHunthitashortflysafelyoversecond。Thetenthousandspectatorsburstintoaroar。Agoodstartliberatedapplauseandmarkedthefeelingfortheday。
MadgewassurprisedandgladtoseeBillieSheldonstartnextfortheplate。Allseason，untillately，hehadbeenthesecondbatter。Duringhisslumphehadbeenrelegatedtothelastplaceonthebattinglist。PerhapshehadaskedPattotryhimoncemoreatthetop。Thebleachersvoicedtheirunstintedappreciationofthisreturn，showingthatBilliestillhadastrongholdontheirhearts。
AsforMadge，herbreastheavedandshehaddifficultyinbreathing。Thiswasgoingtobeahardgameforher。TheintensityofherdesiretoseeBilliebraceuptohisoldformamazedher。
AndCarroll’srudewordsbeatthickinherears。
NeverbeforehadBillieappearedsoinstinctwithlife，sointentandstrungaswhenhefacedKeene，theDenverpitcher。Thatworthytiedhimselfupinaknot，andthen，unlimberingalongarm，deliveredthebrandnewball。
Billieseemedtoleapforwardandthrowhisbatatit。Therewasasharpringingcrack——andtheballwaslikeawhitestringmarvelouslystretchingoutovertheplayers，overthegreenfieldbeyond，andthen，sailing，soaring，overtheright—
fieldfence。Foramomentthestands，eventhebleachers，werestonequiet。Noplayerhadeverhitaballoverthatfence。Ithadbeendeemedimpossible，aswasattestedtobythemanypainted``ads’’offeringprizesforsuchafeat。Suddenlythefarendofthebleachersexplodedandtheswellingroarrolleduptoengulfthegrandstandinthunder。Billieranroundthebasestoapplauseneverbeforeventedonthatfield。Buthegavenosignthatitaffectedhim;hedidnotevendoffhiscap。White—facedandstern，hehurriedtothebench，wherePatfellalloverhimandmanyoftheplayersgraspedhishands。
UpinherboxMadgewascrushingherscore—
cardandwhispering：``Oh！Billie，Icouldhugyouforthat！’’
Tworunsontwopitchedballs！Thatwasanopeningtostiranexactingaudiencetothehighestpitchofenthusiasm。TheDenvermanagerperemptorilycalledKeeneoffthediamondandsentinSteele，asouth—paw，whohadalwaysbotheredPat’sleft—handedhitters。Thatmoveshowedhisastutejudgment，forSteelestruckoutMcReadyandretiredCurtisandMahewoneasychances。
ItwasDalgren’sturntopitchandthoughhehadshownpromiseinseveralgameshehadnotyetbeentriedoutonateamofDenver’sstrength。
Thebleachersgavehimagoodcheeringashewalkedintothebox，butforallthattheywhistledtheirwonderatPat’sassuranceinputtinghimagainsttheCowboysinanimportantgame。
Theladwasvisiblynervousandthehard—hittingandloud—coachingDenverplayerswentafterhimasiftheymeanttodrivehimoutofthegame。Cranestungonetoleftcenterforabase，Moodywasoutonalinertoshort，almostdoublingupCrane;thefleet—footedBluettbuntedandbeatthethrowtofirst;Langlydrovetoleftforwhatseemedathree—bagger，butCurtis，afterahardrun，caughttheballalmostofftheleft—fieldbleachers。CraneandBluettadvancedabaseonthethrow—in。ThenKanebattedupahighfoul—fly。
BurnsCarroll，theKansasCitycatcher，hadthereputationofbeingafiendforchasingfoulflies，andhedashedatthisonewithaspeedthatthreatenedahardfallovertheplayers’benchoracollisionwiththefence。Carrollcaughttheballandcrashedagainstthegrandstand，butleapedbackwithanagilitythatshowedthatiftherewasanyharmdoneithadnotbeentohim。
Thusthesharpinningendedwithamagnificentplay。Itelectrifiedthespectatorsintoafierceenergyofapplause。Withoneaccord，bybaseballinstinct，thestandsandbleachersandroped—
in—sidelinesrealizeditwastobeagameofgamesandtheyansweredtothestimuluswithasavageenthusiasmthatinspiredballplayerstogreatplays。
Inthefirsthalfofthesecondinning，Steele’swilltodoandhisarmtoexecutewereverylikehisname。KansasCitycouldnotscore。IntheirhalftheDenverteammadeonerunbycleanhitting。
Thenthecloselyfoughtadvantagesee—sawedfromoneteamtotheother。Itwasnotapitchers’
battle，thoughbothmenworkedtothelimitofskillandendurance。Theywerehithard。Dazzlingplayskeptthescoredownandtheinningsshort。Overthefieldshungtheportentofsomethingtocome，everyplayer，everyspectatorfeltthesubtlebaseballchance;eachinningseemedtoleadcloserandmorethrillinglyuptotheclimax。Butattheendoftheseventh，withthescoretiedsixandsix，withdaringsteals，hardhitsandsplendidplays，enoughtohavemadememorableseveralgames，itseemedthatthegreatportentousmomentwasstillinabeyance。
TheheadofthebattinglistforKansasCitywasup。Huntcaughtthefirstpitchedballsquarelyontheendofhisbat。Itwasamightydriveandastheballsoaredandsoaredoverthecenter—fieldHuntraceddownthebaseline，andthewinged—
footedCranespedoutward，thebleacherssplittheirthroats。Thehitlookedgoodforahomerun，butCraneleapedupandcaughttheballinhisglovedhand。ThesuddensilenceandthenthelonggroanwhichrackedthebleacherswasgreatertributetoCrane’splaythananyapplause。
BillieSheldonthenfacedSteele。Thefansroaredhoarsely，forBilliehadhitsafelythreetimesoutoffour。Steeleusedhiscurveball，buthecouldnotgetthebattertogoafterit。Whenhehadwastedthreeballs，thenever—despairingbleachershowled：``Now，Billie，inyourgroove！
Stingthenextone！’’ButBilliewaited。Onestrike！Twostrikes！Steelecuttheplate。ThatwasatestwhichprovedSheldon’scaliber。
Withseveninningsofexcitingplaypassed，withbothteamsonedge，withthebleacherswildandthegrandstandskeyeduptothebreakingpoint，witheverythingmakingdeliberationalmostimpossible，BillieSheldonhadremorselesslywaitedforthreeballsandtwostrikes。
``Now！……Now！……Now！’’shriekedthebleachers。
Steelehadnottirednorlosthiscunning。WithhandsbeforehimhegrimlystudiedBillie，thenwhirlinghardtogetmoreweightintohismotion，hethrewtheball。
Billieswungperfectlyandcutacurvinglinerbetweenthefirstbasemanandthebase。Likeashotitskippedoverthegrassoutalongthefoul—
lineintorightfield。AmidtremendousuproarBilliestretchedthehitintoatriple，andwhenhegotupoutofthedustafterhisslideintothirdthenoiseseemedtobethecrashingdownofthebleachers。Itdiedoutwiththechokinggurglingyellofthemostleather—lungedfan。
``O—o—o—o—you—Billie—e！’’
McReadymarchedupandpromptlyhitalongflytotheredoubtableCrane。Billiecrouchedinasprinter’spositionwithhiseyeonthegracefulfielder，waitingconfidentlyfortheballtodrop。
Asiftherehadnotalreadybeensufficientheart—
rendingmoments，thechancethatgovernedbaseballmetedoutthisplay;oneofthekeenest，mosttryingknowntothegame。Playerswaited，spectatorswaited，andtheinstantofthatdroppingballwasinterminablylong。EverybodyknewCranewouldcatchit;everybodythoughtofthewonderfulthrowingarmthathadmadehimfamous。WasitpossibleforBillieSheldontobeatthethrowtotheplate？
CranemadethecatchandgottheballawayatthesameinstantSheldonleapedfromthebaseanddashedforhome。Thenalleyeswereontheball。Itseemedincrediblethataballthrownbyhumanstrengthcouldspeedplatewardsolow，sostraight，soswift。Butitlostitsforceandslanteddowntoboundintothecatcher’shandsjustasBillieslidovertheplate。
Bythetimethebleachershadstoppedstampingandbawling，Curtisendedtheinningwithadifficultgroundertotheinfield。
OncemoretheKansasCityplayerstookthefieldandBurnsCarrollsangoutinhislustyvoice：
``Keeplively，boys！Playhard！Dig’emupan’
get’em！’’Indeedthebigcatcherwasthemain—
stayofthehometeam。Thebulkoftheworkfelluponhisshoulders。Dalgrenwaswildandkepthiscatchercontinuallyblockinglowpitchesandwidecurvesandpoorlycontrolledhighfastballs。
ButtheywereallaliketoCarroll。Despitehisweight，hewasasnimbleonhisfeetasagoat，andifheoncegothishandsontheballhenevermissedit。ItwashisencouragementthatsteadiedDalgren;hisjudgmentofhittersthatcarriedtheyoungpitcherthroughdangerousplaces;hislightningswiftgraspofpointsthatdirectedthemachine—likeworkofhisteam。
InthisinningCarrollexhibitedanotherofhisdemonchasesafterafoulfly;hethrewthebase—
stealingCraneoutatsecond，andbyaremarkableleapandstopofMcReady’sthrow，heblockedarunnerwhowouldhavetiedthescore。
TheCowboysblankedtheiropponentsinthefirsthalfoftheninth，andtrottedinfortheirturnneedingoneruntotie，tworunstowin。
Therehadscarcelybeenabreathingspellfortheonlookersinthisrapid—firegame。Everyinninghadheldthem，onemomentbreathless，thenextwildlyclamorous，andanotherwaitinginnumbfear。Whatdidtheselastfewmomentsholdinstore？TheonlyanswertothatwasthedoggedpluggingoptimismoftheDenverplayers。
Tolistentothem，towatchthem，wastogathertheimpressionthatbaseballfortunealwaysfavoredthemintheend。
``Onlythreemore，Dal。Steadyboys，it’sourgame，’’rolledoutCarroll’sdeepbass。Howvirilehewas！Whatatowerofstrengthtotheweakeningpitcher！
ButvaliantlyasDalgrentriedtorespond，hefailed。Thegrind——thestrainhadbeentoosevere。
WhenhefinallydidlocatetheplateBluetthitsafely。Langleybuntedalongthebaselineandbeattheball。
Ablank，deadquietsettleddownoverthebleachersandstands。Somethingfearfulthreatened。
Whatmightnotcometopass，evenatthelastmomentofthisnerve—rackinggame？Therewasarunneronfirstandarunneronsecond。
Thatwasbad。Exceedinglybadwasitthattheserunnerswereonbasewithnobodyout。WorstofallwasthefactthatKanewasup。Kane，thebestbunter，thefastestmantofirst，thehardesthitterintheleague！Thathewouldfailtoadvancethosetworunnerswasscarcelyworthconsideration。Onceadvanced，aflytotheoutfield，ascratch，anythingalmost，wouldtiethescore。
Sothiswastheclimaxpresagedsomanytimesearlierinthegame。Dalgrenseemedtowiltunderit。
KaneswunghisashviciouslyandcalledonDalgrentoputoneover。Dalgrenlookedintowardthebenchasifhewantedandexpectedtobetakenout。ButPatDonahuemadenosign。
Pathadtrainedmanyapitcherbyforcinghimtotakehismedicine。ThenCarroll，maskunderhisarm，rollinghisbighandinhismitt，sauntereddowntothepitcher’sbox。Thesharporderoftheumpireinnowisedisconcertedhim。HesaidsomethingtoDalgren，vehementlynoddinghisheadthewhile。PlayersandaudiencealikesupposedhewastryingtoputalittleheartintoDalgren，andlikedhimthebetter，notwithstandingtheoppositiontotheumpire。
Carrollsaunteredbacktohisposition。Headjustedhisbreastprotector，andputonhismask，deliberatelytakinghistime。Thenhesteppedbehindtheplate，andaftersigningforthepitch，heslowlymovedhisrighthanduptohismask。
Dalgrenwoundup，tookhisswing，andletdrive。
EvenashedeliveredtheballCarrollboundedawayfromhisposition，flingingoffthemaskashejumped。Forasinglefleetinginstant，thecatcher’spositionwasvacated。Butthatinstantwaslongenoughtomaketheaudiencegasp。Kanebuntedbeautifullydownthethirdbaseline，andthereCarrollstood，fifteenfeetfromtheplate，agileasahugemonkey。HewhippedtheballtoMahewatthird。Mahewwheeledquickasthoughtandlinedtheballtosecond。Sheldoncametearingforthebag，caughttheballontherun，andwithaviolentstopandwrenchthrewitlikeabullettofirstbase。FastasKanewas，theballbeathimtenfeet。Atripleplay！
Theplayersofbothteamscheered，buttheaudience，slowertograspthecomplexandintricatepoints，neededalongmomenttorealizewhathadhappened。TheyneededanothertodivinethatCarrollhadanticipatedKane’sintentiontobunt，hadlefthispositionastheballwaspitched，hadplannedall，riskedall，playedallonKane’ssureeye;andsohehadretiredthesideandwonthegamebycreatingandexecutingtherarestplayinbaseball。
Thentheaudienceroseinabodytogreetthegreatcatcher。Whatahoarsethunderingroarshookthestandsandwavedinablastoverthefield！Carrollstoodbowinghisacknowledgment，andthenswaggeredalittlewiththesunshiningonhishandsomeheatedface。Likeaconquerorconsciousoffullblownpowerhestalkedawaytotheclubhouse。
MadgeEllstoncameoutofhertranceandviewedtheraggedscore—card，hertornparasol，herbatteredglovesandflyinghair，hergenerallydisheveledstatewithalittlestartofdismay，butwhenshegotintothethickandpressofthemovingcrowdshefoundallthewomenmoreorlessdisheveled。Andtheyseemedalltheprettierandfriendlierforthat。Itwasahappycrowdandvoiceswereconspicuouslyhoarse。
WhenMadgeenteredthehotelparlorthateveningshefoundherunclewithguestsandamongthemwasBurnsCarroll。ThepresenceofthehandsomegiantaffectedMadgemoreimpellinglythaneverbefore，yetinsomeinexplicablydifferentway。Shefoundherselftrembling;shesensedacrisisinherfeelingsforthismananditfrightenedher。Shebecameconscioussuddenlythatshehadalwaysbeenafraidofhim。
WatchingCarrollreceivethecongratulationsofmanyofthosepresent，shesawthathedominatedthemashehadher。Hismagnetismwasover—
powering;hisgreatstatureseemedtofilltheroom;hiseasycarelessassuranceemanatedfromsuperiorstrength。Whenhespokelightlyofthegame，ofCrane’smarvelouscatch，ofDalgren’spitchingandofhisowntripleplay，itseemedtheseloomingfeaturesretreatedinperspective——somehowlosttheirvitalsignificancebecauseheslightedthem。
InthelightofCarroll’silluminatingtalk，intheremembranceofSheldon’sbitterdenunciation，intheknowledgeofPatDonahue’sestimateofapeculiartypeofball—player，MadgeEllstonfoundherselfjudgingtheman——bravelytryingtoresisthischarm，tobefairtohimandtoherself。
Carrollsoonmadehiswaytohersideandgreetedherwithhisoldfamiliarmannerofpossession。HoweverirritatingitmightbetoMadgewhenalone，nowitheldherbound。
Carrollpossessedtheelementalattributesofaconqueror。WhenwithhimMadgewhimsicallyfearedthathewouldsnatchherupinhisarmsandcarryherbodilyoff，asthewarriorsofolddidwiththewomentheywanted。Butshebegantobelievethatthefascinationheexerciseduponherwasmerelyphysical。Thatgaveherpause。
NotonlywasBurnsCarrollontrial，butalsoaveryfoolishflutteringlittlemoth——herself。Itwastimeenough，however，tobesternwithherselfaftershehadtriedhim。
``Wasn’tthatasplendidcatchofCrane’stoday？’’sheasked。
``Aluckystab！Cranehasahabitofrunningroundlikeanostrichandstickingoutahandtocatchaball。It’sagrand—standplay。Why，agoodoutfielderwouldhavebeenwaitingunderthatfly。’’
``Dalgrendidfineworkinthebox，don’tyouthink？’’
``Oh，thekid’sallrightwithanoldheadbackoftheplate。He’swild，though，andwillnevermakegoodinfastcompany。Iwonhisgametoday。
Hewouldn’thavelastedaninningwithoutme。ItwasdeadwrongforPattopitchhim。
Dalgrensimplycan’tpitchandhehasn’tsandenoughtolearn。’’
AhotretorttrembleduponMadgeEllston’slips，butshewithhelditandquietlywatchedCarroll。Howcomplacenthewas，howutterlyself—
contained！
``AndBillieSheldon——wasn’titgoodtoseehimbrace？Whathitting！……Thathomerun！’’
``Sheldonflasheduptoday。That’stheworstofsuchplayers。Thistalkofhisslumpisallrot。
Whenhejoinedtheteamhemadesomeluckyhitsandthepaperslaudedhimasacomer，buthesoongotdowntohisrealform。Why，tobreakintoagamenowandthen，toshuthiseyesandhitacoupleonthenose——that’snotbaseball。
Pat’sgivenhimtendays’notice，andhisreleasewillbeagoodmovefortheteam。Sheldon’snotfastenoughforthisleague。’’
``I’msorry。Heseemedsopromising，’’repliedMadge。``IlikedBilly——prettywell。’’
``Yes，thatwasevident，’’saidCarroll，firingup。``Inevercouldunderstandwhatyousawinhim。Why，Sheldon’snogood。He————’’
MadgeturnedawhitefacethatsilencedCarroll。Sheexcusedherselfandreturnedtotheparlor，whereshehadlastseenheruncle。Notfindinghimthere，shewentintothelongcorridorandmetSheldon，Dalgrenandtwomoreoftheplayers。Madgecongratulatedtheyoungpitcherandtheotherplayersontheirbrilliantwork;andthey，nottobeoutdone，gallantlyattributedtheday’svictorytoherpresenceatthegame。Then，withoutknowingintheleasthowitcameabout，shepresentlyfoundherselfalonewithBilly，andtheywerestrollingintothemusic—room。
``Madge，didIbraceup？’’
Thegirlriskedonequicklookathim。Howboyishheseemed，howeager！WhatanaltogetherdifferentBillie！Butwasthedifferenceallinhim！Somehow，despiteaconsciousshynessinthemomentshefeltnaturalandfree，withouttheuncertaintyandrestraintthathadalwaystroubledherwhilewithhim。
``Oh，Billie，thatglorioushomerun！’’
``Madge，wasn’tthathitadandy？HowImadeitisamystery，butthebatfeltlikeafeather。I
thoughtofyou。Tellme——whatdidyouthinkwhenIhitthatballoverthefence？’’
``Billie，I’llnever，nevertellyou。’’
``Yes——please——Iwanttoknow。Didn’tyouthinksomething——niceofme？’’
ThepinkspotsinMadge’scheekswidenedtocrimsonflames。
``Billie，areyoustill——crazyaboutme？Now，don’tcomesoclose。Can’tyoubehaveyourself？
Anddon’tbreakmyfingerswithyouterriblebaseballhands……Well，whenyoumadethathitIjustcollapsedandIsaid————’’
``Sayit！Sayit！’’imploredBillie。
Sheloweredherfaceandthenbravelyraisedit。
``Isaid，`Billie，Icouldhugyouforthat！’……
Billie，letmego！Oh，youmustn’t！——please！’’
QuitealittlewhileafterwardMadgerememberedtotellBilliethatshehadbeenseekingheruncle。TheymethimandPatDonahue，comingoutoftheparlor。
``Wherehaveyoubeenallevening？’’demandedMr。Ellston。
