“Yes, sir; thank you, Mr. Boutelle.  I’ll try my best, sir.”

Mr. Boutelle’s frowns diminished.  “Well, that’s all you can do, Thayer.  I’m sorry to lose you, and that’s a fact.  And I hope you’ll make good.”  Then he scowled again.  “It means learning a new set of signals, confound them!”

He went off, still grumbling, leaving Clint, attired principally in a towel, a prey to very varied emotions.

Chapter XIX

Mr. Detweiler Instructs

“It isn’t that I’m not tickled to death about getting on the ’varsity,” explained Clint to Amy later, “but I’m mighty sorry to leave the second.  You see, a fellow gets sort of fond of the team.”

“Fond!” jeered Amy.  “You’re positively foolish!  It’s a wonder you wouldn’t go into mourning!”

“And then, too,” continued Clint, analysing his emotions for his own satisfaction more than for Amy’s benefit, “I’m scared.  Suppose I don’t do well enough for them on the ’varsity, Amy.  I’d feel pretty cheap if they dropped me after a day or two, wouldn’t I?  ‘Boots’ swears he won’t have anything to do with me if I come back.  I—­sort of wish Robey had chosen Cupples or Robbins.  I really do!”

“Cheer up!” said Amy.  “Faint heart ne’er won the ’varsity!  I’ll bet you’ll make ’em open their eyes, Clint, when you get there.  One trouble with you is that you’re too modest.  You need to have more—­more faith in yourself, old top.  And don’t take ‘Boots’ too seriously, either.  If you decide to return to his aggregation of world-beaters you’ll find he’ll do a heap of scolding and then fall on your neck.  But you won’t do anything of the sort.  I’m no football connoisseur, whatever that is, but I have a feeling, Clint, that you can play all around Trow and Tyler.  Besides, after Joe Detweiler gets hold of you he’ll do wonders for you.  Joking aside, Clint, I’m awfully pleased.  It’s great!  And—­and it’s so mighty unexpected, too!  That’s what gets me!  Of course, I’ve always known you were bound to become famous some day, but I didn’t suppose it was going to happen so soon!”

“I didn’t suppose it was going to happen at all,” replied Clint rather ruefully.

“And it’s going to be fine for me, too,” continued Amy with gusto.  “Think what it will mean to be the chum of a regular ‘Greek’!  ’Hats off, fellows!  Here comes Mr. Byrd!  Good morning, Mr. Byrd.  We trust we see you well today?  And how is Mr. Thayer?  We hope that his knee has quite recovered from its recent indisposition!’”

“You silly idiot!” laughed Clint.