"Oh, having a little practice," replied Joe easily. The feeling between himself and the bully had nearly worn off, and they were on speaking, if not on friendly terms.
"Practice for what?" demanded Hiram.
"Well, the baseball season opens pretty soon," went on Joe, "and Tom and I sort of felt the fever in out veins to-day. Want to have a catch?"
"No," half snarled Hiram. "Say, did you fellows play ball before you came here?" he demanded.
"Sure," put in Tom. "Joe was one of the best pitchers on the Silver Stars."
"The Silver Stars? Never heard of 'em!" sneered Hiram.
"Oh, it was only an amateur nine," Joe admitted modestly. "Tom here was first baseman, and we had some good country games."
"Huh! Maybe you came here to play baseball!" suggested Hiram with a leer. "Seems to me I heard that you had some such notion."
"Well, I have," asserted Joe confidently. "I like the game, and I'd give a good deal to get on the nine. So would Tom, I guess."
"First base is filled," snapped Hiram.
"How about pitcher," asked Tom eagerly, anx-
