Page:The secret play (1915).djvu/308

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There was a mass-meeting in assembly hall that evening and the fellows sang and cheered enthusiastically until, at nine, Lanny and Dick appeared and mounted the platform. Lanny spoke first. He had a simple, direct way of talking that pleased his hearers, and to-night, although he said nothing very new, he managed to work the meeting into a fine frenzy. Cheers followed, repeated over and over, and then Dick arose and faced a new tumult. He couldn't help but contrast this greeting with that which had met him at that former meeting, and the thought brought a smile to his face. When the cheers had subsided he spoke:

"Fellows, there isn't much anyone can say on the eve of a big game; and, anyhow, Captain White has got ahead of me. I do want to thank you personally, though, just as White thanked you on behalf of the team, for the splendid support you have given us all season." A few chuckles were heard. "I want to thank you too for your—for the good feeling you've shown me. I appreciate it. And I want to tell you that it has made a difference; helped more than you can possibly realize. I don't want to seem to be asking for credit for whatever share I've had in the development of the team, but I do want to say