“I think I’m getting the hang of it, sir.  I’m having a hard time with drop kicking, but I guess I’ll learn after a while.”

“I’m sure you will.  I’m going to have Blair give you a bit of coaching in it next week.  He’ll have more time then, after he has finished with this golf business.  Don’t get discouraged.  Peg away.  It’s worth the work, March, and you have the making of a good back as soon as you learn how to kick a goal and run a little faster.  And whenever you’re puzzled about anything come to me and we’ll work it out together.  Will you?”

“Yes, sir, thank you.”

“That’s right.  Well, here’s where I turn off.  Have you time to come and pay me a visit?”

“Not to-day, I’m afraid, Mr. Remsen.  I’m just going to the post office for some paper, and—­”

“Well, come and see me some time.  I’m pretty nearly always at home in the evenings and will be very glad to see you.  And bring your friend West with you.  That’s my headquarters down there, the yellow house; Mrs. Hutchins’s.  If you cut across the field here it will save you quite a distance.  Good-by; and get to bed early to-night, March, if you can.  There’s nothing like a good sleep before a game.”

“Good-by,” answered Joel.  Then, “Mr. Remsen, one minute, please, sir,” he called.  “Are you any relation to the Remsens that live near Clairmont, in Maine, sir?”

“Why, I shouldn’t wonder,” answered Remsen, with a smile.  “I think I’ve heard my father speak of relatives in Maine, but I don’t recollect where.  Why do you ask?”

“My mother wrote me to find out.  She’s very much interested in people’s relatives, Mr. Remsen, and so I thought I’d ask and let her know.  You didn’t mind my asking you, did you?”

“Certainly not.  Tell your mother, March, that I hope those Remsens are some of my folks, because I should like to be related to her friends.  And say, March, when you’re writing to your mother about me you needn’t say anything about those explosions, need you?”

“I don’t think it will be necessary, sir,” laughed Joel.

“Very well; then just mention me as a dignified and reverend attorney-at-law, and we’ll keep the rest a secret between us.”

CHAPTER VIII.

THE GOLF TOURNAMENT.

It was Saturday afternoon.  The day was bright and sunny, and in the shelter of the grand stand on the campus, where the little east wind could not rustle, it was comfortably warm.  The grass still held much of its summer verdancy, and the sky overhead was as deeply blue as on the mildest spring day.  After a week of dull or stormy weather yesterday and to-day, with their fair skies, were as welcome as flowers in May, and gladness and light-heartedness were in the very air.