That's a dandy turf there, Tom; level as a table.

They haven't marked the gridiron out yet, though." "I suppose they don't need it for a day or two," replied the other, trying not to feel self-conscious as he neared the crowd already on hand.

"I don't see Miller, do you ?" Steve shook his head, after a glance about him, and, rolling his hands in the folds of his sweater, not because the weather was cold but because that was a habit of his, seated himself at the bottom of the stand.

Tom followed him and they looked about them and conversed in low voices while the throng grew with every minute.

So far neither had made any acquaintances save that of Andy Miller--unless Eric Sawyer could be called such!--and they felt a little bit out of it as they saw other boys joyously hailing each other, stopping to shake hands or exchange affectionate blows, or waving greetings from a distance.