The tumultuous cheering lasted two full minutes, for Gridley was always as strong on fans as it wanted to be on players.
Fred Ripley was flushed but proud.

He tried to hold himself jauntily, with an air of indifference, as he stood with the ball clasped in both hands, awaiting the signal.
Ripley felt that he could afford to be satisfied with himself.
The advance consciousness of victory thrilled him.

He had worked rather hard with Everett; and, though the great pitcher had not succeeded in bringing out all that he had hoped to do with the boy, yet Everett had praised him only yesterday.

One reason why Fred had not absolutely suited his trainer was that the boy had broken his training pledge by taking up with coffee.

For that reason his nerves were not in the best possible shape.