There's nothing like a good walk in the cool and shady spots for tuning up a schoolboy's nerves for an ordeal.

A walk is good whether you're facing an exam.
or a championship game." "May the rest of us go with you!" called one of the Central boys outside the squad.
"We can't stop you," Dick replied, "but we'd rather you let the ball squad go by itself." "All right, then," cried three or four.

The fourteen of the squad marched away, unhampered by any followers.
Once outside the town and halted under a grove of trees, Dick turned to his teammates.
"Fellows," he said quietly, "I believe some of you have been anxious to know what the man on the clubhouse steps said." "It's coming, at last!" gasped Tom Reade.

"Well, let us hear what the man on the clubhouse steps said.

It must be one of the choice pieces of wisdom of all the ages." "It is," Dick replied quietly.
"Then let us hear shouted Dave.
"Not now," Prescott answered, shaking his head solemnly.