8 ACORN "Never mind," Hermione said, "the team can't blame you now if they lose the game as they would have done if you had played, and I'll bet Anguish is calling himself all kinds of names for putting Dutch in your place." No sooner had she said this than Anguish broke through the lines, ran up to Skeeter and said, "Say, Skeeter, I want to apologize tor speaking to you the way I did the other day and I" "Ah, dry up, Cap," Baum said, "It's all right, only I do wish that I was playing in this game." "Do you? will you?" Anguish asked eagerly "will you play, Skeeter? I've fired that drunken Dutchman out of the team. Do come and play, Skeeter," he pleaded, "I know that you can save us if you will; they are only a little ahead and with a few of your baskets we'll win and then we'll get the pennant." "Yes, yes, Skeeter, play," whispered Hermione, "play and win for my sake, do, I know you can." "Sure, I'll play," shouted Skeeter, highly elated over the turn in affairs; you bet I'll play. Hurry and let me get into my things," and with a bound he was away to the dressing room. The word that Skeeter was going to play flashed around the hall and yell upon yell went up for Skeeter, who was a favorite with nearly all of his schoolmates. Baum rushed into the dressing room and was greeted by his team-mates with cheers, and "Hurry up, Skeeter, we're sure going to win now." When the time was up the team went back into the hall, and were greeted with yells loud and prolonged and especially yells for Skeeter. The game opened with a brisk throw from center to Medland's forward, but here Cedar blocked it and knocked it away. It was caught by Medland's center and sent to Skeeter, who lifted it above the heads of the others and threw it in the basket. Instantly wild cheers rent the air and the team and Skeeter was cheered from one end of the hall to the other. The last half was fast and furious. The Medland team showed the expert training they had received. They worked as if they were one mind and body. The signals were taken and given with great rapidity; not once was the ball fumbled and fewer fouls were made. Cedar began to be worried and from their side rose loud and excited urging. "There! now you've got it put 'er in! put 'er in and then it would end in wail on the one side and a cheer on the other as the ball rolled clear over the rim of the basket and was snatched away by Medland. They only scored three times during the second half, one field basket and two fouls. ACORN 9 It seemed as though the ball was made especially to go into Medland's basket, and by Baum's hands. More than once the referee had to pitch up the ball between the two men of opposing sides, each of them holding on to the ball as if their very life depended on it. After some very fast playing the game ended with the score 20 to 16 in Medland's favor. When the score was announced there arose a mighty roof lifting, and in the tumult Skeeter was lifted upon the shoulder of his teammates and carried around the hall. During the cheering, Skeeter jumped from his elevated position, and with his robe on, ran up to where Hermione was. "Oh, I'm so glad you won, Skeeter." "Yes, little girl, and so am I," replied Skeeter fairly shaking her, and to think if it hadn't been for you I wouldn't have got my "M." QUEERUM, '10. THE FACULTY LENDS A HAND." "We certainly were delighted At the game with the B. Y. C. To see the enthusiasm displayed, By the members of our faculty. Our Principal waved the banner; Hansen led yells near the door, And made such an awful disturbance, That he had to be put off the floor. Cowles whooped like a Pawnee Indian, Miss Cleghorn did a war-dance, Hobson pranced on the side-lines Like a six-year-old boy in knee pants. Jensen shouted advice to the team from above, Miss Earle called them "darlings" and "dears," Miss Larkin had more to say that night Than our "chatter-box" Iva Steers. Now students let's all learn this lesson If we're true to the Purple and White, And lose ourselves at a basket-ball game, Like the faculty did that night." '11.