"And I don't believe Drayne is in anything like condition, either." "Now, see here, you two," broke in Captain Wadleigh behind them, as he gripped an arm of either boy, "no croaking.

We can't afford it." "We can't afford anything," grinned Hazelton uneasily.
"Oh, of course, we're going to win today---Gridley simply has to win," added Holmes hastily.
"Yes; you two look as though you had the winning streak on," growled Wadleigh, in a low voice.

"For goodness' sake come out of your daze!" "Do you think yourself that Drayne is fit ?" demanded Hazelton.
"He's the fittest man we have that can play left end," retorted Wadleigh.
"Knocking, are you ?" demanded Drayne, coming up behind them.
"Nice fellows you are!" "Oh, now, see here, Drayne, no bad blood," urged Wadleigh.

He spoke authoritatively, yet coaxingly, too.

"Remember, we've got to keep all our energies for one thing today." "Well, I'm mighty glad you two don't play on my end of the line," sneered Drayne, looking at Hazelton and Holmes with undisguised hostility.
"Cut it, Drayne.