Try it over now." And when Steve had tried it over, Marvin glanced at him sharply.

It seemed to him that for almost the first time the candidate had really tried! He hadn't made a clean tackle, but he had profited by the instruction that had been heaped upon him for two weeks, and little Marvin mentally patted himself on the back and was very pleased with himself, for Marvin, although he would probably never play through a big game, and knew it, was as unselfishly devoted to the interests of the team as any fellow there.
"That's a heap better, Edwards," he said eagerly.

"Now see if you can't do it just right the next time." After that it seemed to Marvin that Steve tried harder and it seemed to Steve that the little quarter-back was more appreciative.

On Tuesday, as the squad jogged away from the tackling pit, Marvin said: "Edwards, let me see you after practice, will you ?" Steve, assenting, examined Marvin's face doubtfully.

A week ago he would have expected trouble from such a request, but to-day Marvin's face held only good-will and a sort of eager friendliness, and while Steve wondered more than once during the remainder of practice what Marvin wanted of him he had no unpleasant forebodings.
There was to be a game on the morrow, the only mid-week contest of the season, and the first squad was released early.