But it didn't anger or confuse him.

Instead, the ball left his hand with surer guidance.
But a crowd of Central fans also heard, and imagined that the yell came from one of the groups of Souths.
"Bang! bang!" yelled a lot of Central Grammar boys with enthusiasm.
"Ow-ow-ow! Ow-ow-ow!" came the response.
"Strike one!" called the umpire.

Ted, his face crimson and his eyes flashing fire, threw his bat from him.
"Teall, pick up your bat," ordered the umpire.

"If you do that again I'll order you from the game." "I don't care if you do!" trembled on Ted's lips, but he caught the words in time.

He gulped, swallowed hard, hesitated, then went tremulously to pick up his stick.