CHAPTER XLII
A SUDDEN SHIFT
He hoped Cope would not yield. Perhaps
the damage was done already, but he
would try to redeem himself if they did
not bench him.
Hutchinson was saying:
"What's the use to keep him in, man alive? He's lost the game already."
"If he's lost the game," returned the obstinate grocer, "what's the use to take him out? I don't see no sense in that. Let him pitch some more. He braced up t'other time; mebbe he will ag'in."
Speechless with exasperation, Hutchinson turned back and reseated himself on the bench. Seeing this, and understanding that Locke would continue yet a while on the firing line, Stark ran to him, grasped him with both hands, and spoke in swift, yet steady, tones:
"Pull yourself together, Lefty; you've got to do it, and you can. Bangs is easy, and that man Murtel can't hit a balloon. Put the ball over, and
