He couldn't help hitting it, stuck up the way it was on a pinch of sand--stuck up like a sore thumb.

How did they miss it time after time?
He had meant to test his conviction in solitude, but why not put it to trial now, and shame this doubting and inept Rapp, Senior?
"Oh, well, I don't mind," he said, and waddled negligently to the tee.
Rapp, Senior, voiced loud delight.

Gideon Whipple merely stood safely back without comment, though there was a malicious waiting gleam in his eyes.
"You folks make something out of nothing," scolded Sharon, fussily.
Grasping the proffered club he severely threatened with it the new ball which Rapp, Senior, had obligingly teed up for him.

In that moment he felt a quick strange fear, little twinges of doubt, a suspicion that all was not well.

Perhaps the sudden hush of those about him conduced to this.