"What ailed old Drayne this afternoon, Dick?" asked Tom Reade.

"Why, he told me that he had hoped to play quarter this season".

"Regular quarter?" demanded Dan Dalzell, opening his eyes very wide.

"That was what I gathered, from what he said", nodded Dick.

"Well, of all the nerve!" muttered Hazelton.

"The star position---for a fellow with a quitter's record!"

"I was obliged to say something of the sort" smiled Dick", though I tried to say it in a way that wouldn't hurt his feelings".

"You didn't succeed very well in salving his feelings, if his looks gave any indication". laughed Greg Holmes quietly.