The “soreheads” were driven, then, to apply for places in the football squad.  Only those most needed, however, had been admitted, and the rest had retired in sullen admission of defeat.

Two of the latter, Bayliss and Bert Dodge, carried matters so far, however, that they were actually forced out of the High School and left Gridley to go to a preparatory school elsewhere.

The hostile attempts of young Ripley, of Dodge, Drayne and others to injure Dick & Co. have been fully related in the four volumes of the “High School Boys’ Vacation Series.”  This series deals with the good times enjoyed by Dick & Co. during their first three summers as high school boys.  These stories are replete with summer athletics, and a host of exciting adventures.  The four volumes of this Vacation Series are published under the titles:  “The High School Boys’ Canoe Club,” “The High School Boys in Summer Camp,” “The High School Boys Fishing Trip” and “The High School Boys’ Training Hike.”

This present year no “sorehead” movement had been attempted.  Every student who honestly wanted to play football presented himself at the school gymnasium, on the afternoon named by Coach Morton for the call, including Drayne, who had been one of the original “soreheads.”  Drayne afterwards returned to the football fold, behaving with absurd childishness at the big Thanksgiving game, as our readers will recall.

Leaving Coach Morton, Captain Prescott hurried away to take charge of the practice.

“Come, Mr. Drayne!” called Coach Morton “Get into the tackling work, and be sure to mix it up lively.”

“Just a moment, coach, if you please,” begged Drayne.

“Well, Drayne?” asked Mr. Morton

“Captain Prescott has just been telling me that I’m to be only a sort of sub this year.”

“Well, he’s captain,” replied the submaster.

“Huh!  I thought it was all Prescott’s fine work!” sneered Phin.

“You’re wrong there, Mr. Drayne,” rejoined the coach frankly.  “As a matter of fact, it was I who suggested that you be cast for light work this year.”

“Oh!” muttered Drayne

“Yes; if you feel like blaming anyone, blame me, not Prescott.  You know, Drayne, you didn’t behave very well last Thanksgiving Day.”

“I admit that my behavior was unreasonable, sir.  But you know, Mr. Morton, that I’m one of the valuable men.”

“There’s a crowd of valuable men this year, Drayne,” smiled the submaster.

“On the strongest pledge that I can give you, Mr. Morton, will you allow me to play regular quarter-back this season?” begged the quitter of the year before.

“I would give the idea more thought if Prescott recommended it; but I doubt if he would,” answered Mr. Morton slowly.  “Personally, Drayne, I don’t approve of putting you on strong this year.  The quitter’s reputation Drayne, is one that can’t ever be really lived down, you know.”