Kewpie was beyond his abilities. Besides, when he came to think about it, it didn't seem quite fair. It was too much like stealing another fellow's patent. Of course there wasn't more than one chance in ten that Kewpie would progress to the stage where he might burst on the Hillman's baseball firmament as a rival to Pemberton, but . . . just the same. . . . The next time Pemberton let the ball go Laurie picked it up and dropped it in his pocket.
The next day, Sunday, saw Ned and Laurie walking toward the Widow Deane's shortly after dinner was over. It had become a custom to go for a walk on Sunday afternoons, when the weather was gracious, with Polly and Mae and, sometimes, Bob Starling or some of the other fellows. To-day, however, there were indications that a late dinner was still going on at the Starlings', and the twins didn't stop for Bob. It had rained during the night but a warm sun had long since removed all signs of it. Along the streets bordering School Park doors and windows were open to the spring-like air. In the park the few benches were occupied, and, beyond, in the paved yard of the high school, some small youths were
