It was sweet, at last, to taste the pleasures of local fame.
He stood gazing about him, drinking in the evident delight of the High School boys.

In fact he did not hear the coach's order until it came again.
"Try another one, Ripley!" The young man moistened his fingers, placing the ball carefully.
Of a sudden his arm shot out.

Again the coach struck for what looked a fair ball, yet once more Mr.Luce fanned air and the catcher straightened up, ball in hand.
Pumph! The lazily thrown ball landed in Ripley's outstretched left.

He moistened his fingers, wet the ball, and let drive almost instantly.

For the third time Mr.Luce fanned out.
Then Fred spoke, in a tone of satisfied self-importance: "Coach, that's all I'll do this afternoon, if you don't mind." "Right," nodded Mr.Luce.