I don't believe Marvin means to rag you, though; he's an awfully decent fellow." But Tom's day or two stretched into a week or two, and one by one fellows disappeared from the awkward squad, some to the private walks of life and the consolation of hall football and some, fewer in number these, to the squad ahead.

Brimfield played its first game of the year one Saturday afternoon with Thacher School, and came through with flying colours.

But Thacher presented a line-up considerably younger and lighter than Brimfield's, and the victory brought no great glory to the Maroon-and-Grey.

Steve and Tom watched that contest from the side-line, Tom with absorbed interest and Steve rather disgruntedly.

His visions had not included any such situation as this! That evening Steve made his first big mistake..