Perhaps, when he ran home to change his clothes, his mother had given him an errand to do.

Thad was an obedient boy, and although he may have begrudged the afternoon lost, still there would be plenty of time to train for his position, if he had the luck to be selected in the end.
All the time they worked, and afterwards with picked nines played a short game, Hugh kept on the lookout, but no Thad showed up.

This was so queer that Hugh made up his mind he must drop in at the Stevens domicile on his way home to supper, and find out what had happened to keep his chum, who was as enthusiastic as himself over baseball matters, from coming around for the first test.
More than once that afternoon Hugh received warning words from some of the other boys concerning Nick Lang.
"He isn't the kind of a fellow to forget and forgive, Hugh, remember," K.K.went on to say, with a shake of his head.

"I've studied the beast, and I know how he's made up.

Right now he glares at you every time he happens to come near.