In the month that followed Will found himself excessively busy.  He took his meals now with the team at the training table and every day there was work to be done on the track.  And it was hard work too.  But the demands were almost forgotten in the elation which filled the heart of the young student.  His father’s warm words of congratulation were prized most of all, but Will felt that he did not require the caution which his father gave him not to permit his success in athletics to interfere with his work for the classroom.  Even “Splinter’s” demands had lost a part of their unreasonableness, or so it seemed to Will, and even the detested Greek could be mastered under the glow of success that was his.

At last the eventful day arrived when the meet between the colleges was to be held.  Will had worked so hard and so faithfully that he was not without hopes of winning some points for his college and he was aware how much they were needed and how eager all the student body was that the cup might come to Winthrop.  Mott was the only one who had appeared to be at all envious of him, but as Will had heard that the sophomore had been careless in his training and there had been reports that Mott and Peter John had been drinking heavily again, he felt that he could well afford to ignore the slights.  And in his heart he knew that he was sincere when he declared to himself that if he could not win he heartily wished that Mott might, for Winthrop would be the gainer in either event.

The team had been taken to the city where the meet was to be held, on the day preceding the contest, and that night at the hotel Will endeavored again to follow the advice of Wagner and secure a good sleep.  But his excitement and the novelty of his surroundings and thoughts of the impending meet were too keen to be entirely overcome by the young freshman, and on the following morning his heart was somewhat heavy and his fears increased.

When at last the hour arrived when the team, in a huge coach, was taken to the field, a measure of calm had returned to him and as he looked out over the great assembly his interest became intense.  Students from the various colleges had been assigned sections in the bleachers and streamers and banners with the huge initial letter of the college emblazoned upon them were much in evidence.  The colors of the competing colleges were also to be seen among the spectators and with shouts and cheers and songs to be heard on every side Will felt that this was the supreme moment of his life.  He stood gazing at the inspiring sight until he felt a touch on his shoulder that caused him quickly to turn about.

“Why, pop!” he exclaimed delightedly as he perceived who it was that had touched him.  “I didn’t have the remotest idea that you were here.”

“I had to come to see what my boy would do,” replied Mr. Phelps quietly.

“I’m afraid you won’t see much.”

“I shall see him do his best, and that’s worth the trip.”