You and he seem to be pretty good friends, said Gordon.
I know. He Well, he seems to like me pretty well, and you cant be anything but decent to a fellow in that case, can you? I suppose if Jonathan Brent wasnt his father Id like him well enough. Well, Ill stop in and see this Billings chap to-morrow. Its less trouble than writing a letter, I guess. Wednesday the sixteenth, on their own grounds, at what time?
Three oclock, I suppose, answered Gordon. That will give us plenty of time to get over on the two-oclock car and warm up a bit before the game. You might tell him about our field, and say that if they want a return game well play it over here if we can get the use of the field. By the way, that grandstand at the field belongs to the school. Well have to move that if we get out. I wish Mr. Brent would be satisfied with all the money hes got and not go and take our field away from us.
So do I. What we want to do, though, is to watch out and be sure he doesnt swipe the grandstand too!
Well, you are rabid! laughed Gordon. Still, I dont know that I blame you. I never knew that about your father, Dickums.
Well, dont repeat it, please. Its all done with now, and theres no use talking about it. I dont very often. Only sometimes Well, I get sort of hot under the collar when I think of all the money Jonathan Brent has and how awfully hard we have to scrabble to get along. Good-bye, Mr. Captain.
Good-bye, Mr. Manager. Im not captain, though.
You will be, laughed Dick. You always are, you know!
CHAPTER III
A RICH MANS SON
Gordon had doubts of finding Morris Brent at home when, shortly after nine oclock the next morning, he walked up the neat artificial-stone path to the front door of Brentwood. But the maid who responded to his ring assured him that Master Morris was in, and led the way to the gray-and-gold reception room. He decided to take no chances with the spindle-legged, silk-brocaded chairs, and took refuge in front of the mantel, from which place he viewed the gray satin wall panels and dainty luxuries of the apartment with surprise. He didnt have to wait long, however, for he had only just reached the conclusion that the room was pretty but uncomfortable when footsteps sounded quickly in the hall and a boy a year older than he appeared in the doorway.
Hello, Gordon! How are you? Say, what did they put you in here for? This room gives me the creeps, doesnt it you? Come on out on the piazza.
Gordon followed his host across the hall, through a warm-toned, luxurious but decidedly comfortable library and out of a French door onto a wide porch that was screened and curtained. There were many bright rugs and gayly cushioned easy-chairs here; and tables with blossoming plants and books and magazines on them. From the porch one looked across a carefully kept lawn to where a symmetrically clipped hedge bordered Louise Street. Mr. Brent owned not only the block on which his estate was located, but some eight or nine adjoining blocks besides, his property running from his back line across Troutman, Lafayette, Main, and Common Streets to the river, including, two blocks north, the plot of land which for many years the High School had used as an athletic field. Mr. Brent had laid out the section himself and had named the two cross streets after his son and daughter, Morris and Louise.
Morris was a good-looking youth, with a self-confident air and a somewhat dissatisfied expression. He was tall, carried himself well, dressed rather more expensively than his companions in high school, and was never quite able to forget or allow others to forget that he was Jonathan Brents son and heir. But, in spite of that, he was not unpopular, and if there was any snobbishness about him it was unconscious. In fact, there were one or two of his acquaintances in Clearfield to whom he went out of his way to ingratiate himself. Gordon was one and Dick was another. But Gordon had never cared to respond more than half-heartedly to Morris advances, while Dicks attitude we already know.
Morris pulled forward the most comfortable chair for his guest, repeated that he was glad to see him, and for several minutes gave Gordon no chance to state his errand. When he did, however, Morris was as much surprised as Dick had been.
Dad hasnt mentioned it to me, he said, with a frown. Thats too bad, isnt it? I dont see why he needs to cut up that land just now. Whatll we do, Gordon, for a place to play?
Dick said he supposed wed have to go across the river. That would make it pretty far from school, though. But I dont know of any place in town, do you?
Morris shook his head, and Gordon went on:
What I wanted to see you about was to ask if you thought your father would have any objection to our using the field until they began to build on it. I dont think theyve done anything there yet. I thought maybe you wouldnt mind asking your father, Morris.
Morris hesitated a moment. Ill ask him, he said, at last, but he and I well, we arent on very good terms just now. Honestly, I think it would be better if you asked him yourself, Gordon. Im afraid hed say no to me just to to be nasty. You see, we had a sort of row about an automobile. He kind of promised last Christmas that hed get me a runabout this Spring, and when I asked about it he put me off; and so I Morris grinned I went ahead and got Stacey to order one for me. It came yesterday, and I told dad and he got as mad as a hatter about it. Says I cant have it now. Im going to, though. Ive got some money in the bank, and Stacey says hell wait for the rest of it. Its only six hundred dollars, anyway.
Too bad! murmured Gordon, not very enthusiastically. Maybe he will change his mind, though.
Not he! He isnt made that way. What are you going to do at the field? Play ball?
Gordon told about the letter from Caspar Billings and the formation of the ball club. I suppose, he ended, youll play with the Point fellows?
Morris shrugged his shoulders. I suppose so. I havent heard anything about it yet. Caspars a friend of mine, though. We dont move out to the Point until the seventeenth this summer. Dads full of business and as grouchy as the dickens. Sis and I have been trying to get mother to spunk up and insist on moving right away, but she wont. Whos on your team, Gordon?
Gordon told him. Morris criticised several of his selections and was infinitely amused at the idea of Fudge Shaw playing. Gordon had an uneasy feeling that Morris perhaps resented not being asked to join. But if Morris held any resentment, he didnt show it.
We ought to have some good games, he said finally and approvingly. I dare say Caspar will want me to play on his team. You know him, dont you?
Gordon was doubtful. I think I remember him, he said, but Im not sure. What does he look like?
Oh, rather a good-looking chap big, dark hair, plays tennis a lot and is pretty good at it. He lives in a cottage near the hotel, the second in the row at the left. Hes a dandy chap, Billings. I dont see, though, where hes going to get enough fellows at the Point to make up a nine, unless there are more there this year than usual. Perhaps hes got some fellows staying with him. He goes to St. Georges, you know, and last year he brought a couple of friends home with him for a while.
Dick went over to the Point this morning to see about coaching a boy who is going to Rifle Point in the Fall, said Gordon. Hes going to look up Billings and tell him well play him a week from Saturday.
Dick went over to the Point this morning to see about coaching a boy who is going to Rifle Point in the Fall, said Gordon. Hes going to look up Billings and tell him well play him a week from Saturday.
Could Dick do that? Coach, I mean.
I guess so. You know hes about the smartest fellow in his class at school. He wants to earn some money, and there arent many things he can do. I hope he gets the job.
Yes. I like Dick. Hes terribly white, isnt he? Gee, if I had a bum hip like his and had to live on crutches, Id Id But words failed him. He shook his head. Hes so awfully cheerful. Who is the kid hes going to coach?
Ive forgotten the name. He told me. Something like Prentiss, I think.
Morris shook his head again. Dont know them. They must be new. When I get over there, Gordon, Ill see if I cant drum up some trade for Dick. I know about everyone there. He paused, and then added morosely, with a wry smile: It might be a mighty good scheme if I had him coach me a bit. Ive got to take my college exams next year, and I know blamed well I wont pass them. He shrugged his shoulders. Well, Ive got another year yet. Do you have to go? Stay and play a couple of sets of tennis with me. Youve never tried our court, have you?
Id like to, but I want to get this business settled. I guess Id better go and see your father about the field. Id like to play, though, some time, he added, as he saw Morris face fall. It looks like a bully court.
It is. Its a dandy. Fast as lightning. I havent played much myself this year, and Im all out of trim. Sis and I had a couple of sets the other day, and she pretty nearly licked me.
I hope your sister is well, murmured Gordon. And Mrs. Brent.
Yes, thanks. Sis ought to be around somewhere. Wait till I see.
He got up and passed into the library, and Gordon heard him calling his sister at the stairway. He came back in a moment. Shes coming down, he announced. Dont hurry off. Dad will be in his office all the morning, I guess. I hope you dont mind my not wanting to ask him, Gordon. I would in a minute, only, as I say, we arent very chummy just now.
At that moment Louise Brent came through the doorway, and Gordon, who had reseated himself after his first start to leave, arose again. She was tall, like her brother, but, unlike him, was light in coloring, with brown hair that just escaped being yellow and a very fair skin and blue eyes. She was not a beauty, but she was pretty in spite of irregular features, with a lot of animation and a smile that won friends at once. She was fifteen; but she looked older, Gordon thought as he took the hand she extended.
I havent seen you for a long time, Gordon, she said, as she seated herself on the edge of Morris chair. Not since the school dance in January. And then you didnt ask me for a single dance.
Gordon smiled a trifle embarrassedly. I I dont dance very well, he said. I thought it would be kinder to spare you.
You didnt spare Grace Levering, she laughed.
Well, Grace
Is awfully nice. I know.
I didnt mean that! I meant that shes only thirteen and
Oh, Im too old? Louise opened her eyes very wide. But Im only fifteen, Gordon. How old are you? Or isnt it polite to ask?
Fifteen, too, he laughed. I guess the reason I danced with Grace so much was because I thought she wasnt old enough to be fussy about the way I did it. Kind of tough on her, though, wasnt it?
Kind of tough on the rest of us, you mean, responded Louise. Youll have to make it up this summer by coming to some of our parties at the Point. Will you?
Why yes, if you want me to. But, really and truly, Im a fierce dancer, Louise.
Is he? She turned to her brother. Morris shook his head.
Search me. I know he can bat a ball like sixty, though. Ive been trying to get him to stay and play some tennis, but he wont. You ask him, sis.
Wont you? she begged. The courts just crying to be played on. If you will, Ill bring you out the biggest, coldest pitcher of lemonade, Gordon, you ever saw!
Thanks, but some other time
That means never! she sighed. I dont think youre as nice as you used to be. Is he, Morris?
Hes so full of business these days. Say, sis, fathers going to cut up the athletic field for building lots. What do you think of that?
What for? she demanded.
Search me. It leaves the school in a hole, all right.
How horribly mean! said Louise. It was such a nice field, too! I dont think he ought to do it, Morris, and I guess Ill tell him so.
Go ahead! laughed her brother. Itll make a lot of difference I dont think! Gordon came around to get me to ask dad to let the fellows use the field until he began to cut it up, but I told him that hed better do the asking himself. If I asked he might give orders to build a dozen houses on it to-morrow!
I know. Louise nodded. I wish youd give up the idea of that automobile, Morris. Mother doesnt want you to have it, either.
Just because dad made such a fuss, he grumbled. She was all right before that. Im going to have it, just the same.
I wish you wouldnt, she murmured. Do you think he ought to drive an auto, Gordon? Dont you think its too dangerous?
I dont know, answered Gordon. Ive never had much experience with automobiles. I suppose, though, that if one is careful
Morris wont be, mourned Louise. Hell have an accident, kill himself, break his arm or something.
Oh, piffle, sis! I can run an automobile as well as any chap. Ive done it. When I get the car youll be tickled to death, and youll want to be riding in it every minute.
Louise shook her head energetically. No, I shant, Morris. Id be scared to death. And I think it would be much better for you to wait another year or two. Papa wont like it a bit if you take your money out of the bank and spend it on an automobile.
Its my money, and I have a right to do as I please with it, responded her brother. Besides, if hed kept his word
Oh, Morris, you shouldnt say things like that! Papa never actually told you you could have it.
Well, he as much as told me, muttered Morris. Anyway, Im going to have it. Stacey would think I was a pretty funny sort if I refused to take it after hed got it for me.
Maybe he could sell it to someone else, suggested Gordon. Most everyone is buying the things nowadays. Well, Ill be going, I guess. Good-bye. Good-bye, Louise. Ill come over some time and have that tennis, Morris, if youll let me know.
Come whenever you can, will you? Im at home most of the time; or I shall be until I get my car. And Morris grinned exasperatingly at his sister.
Dont forget that youre to come to the Point some time and dance every dance with me, Louise reminded, as she and Morris accompanied Gordon to the door. Thats the only apology Ill accept.
Youll wish you hadnt invited me after the first dance, replied the visitor grimly. But Ill come if you want me to some time. Good-bye.
On his wheel once more, and spinning down the shadow-dappled street, he thought, not without a little natural envy, how fine it must be to have as much money as the Brents. Morris had spoken of buying a six-hundred-dollar automobile in much the same way as Gordon might have announced his intention of purchasing a new suit of clothes! And yet, on reflection, Morris didnt seem really happy and contented, and never had. He always appeared to have a quarrel with someone or something. Sometimes it was the teachers at High School, who were imposing on him; once it had been the baseball coach, Mr. Farrel, who, according to Morris, was keeping him off the team for spite, and now it was with his father. It would seem, then, that the possession of much wealth didnt always bring contentment. There was Dick Levering, who was not only poor but a cripple as well, and who was absolutely the most cheerful and contented fellow of all Gordons acquaintances. It was a bit puzzling, Gordon thought, as he whirled into E Street and headed toward the business section of town.