game. He did it in
an off-hand way so that Judd would not anticipate the reason. Judd had
said no more about getting a job but Bob had noticed his brother
scanning the want-ads in the paper. He smiled as he noted little
evidences that Judd was developing more initiative. Perhaps he might
even get enough courage to go out and apply for a job himself!

The weather grew almost unbearably hot as July neared August. But Bob
told Judd that perspiration was good for him so they continued to work
out on such late afternoons as Bob could get away.

One afternoon Bob said to Judd: "You're learning football pretty fast,
Buddy. You've been booting that ball for thirty to forty yards every
kick; your passing is good and you can grab almost every ball you get
your hands on. Now let's see how good you are at tackling. I'm going
to take the ball and run right at you. It's up to you to down me."

Judd did not take kindly to this idea. It was different, just playing
with a football and not having anyone to interfere with you. But this
stopping of a man when he was running by grabbing him and hanging on
until you brought him to the ground was no fun. What if? ... and a
dozen visions of possible happenings flashed across Judd's mind.

"I--I--not today," said Judd, hoping that Bob would not push the
suggestion.

"Come on. There's nothing going to hurt you!" Bob trotted down the
field fifteen yards. He turned about and crouched forward, ready to
start. "Look out! Here I come!"

The sight of Bob coming toward him terrified Judd. It seemed that
Bob's knees were moving up past his head and his feet were digging the
turf in a plunging drive. As Bob neared him Judd quickly side-stepped
and avoided contact with him. Bob cut into the sod with his feet and
swung around in a half-circle, bringing up short. "What's the matter?
Afraid?"

Judd didn't answer. He was scared stiff. He wanted to run. Why, if
he had not stepped out of the way he might have suffered serious
injury! Who could stop a charging pair of feet and a bullet-like head?
Besides, in such moments, Judd was conscious that he was facing the
great Bob instead of just his brother. He felt his own insignificance.

"Judd, there's no more likelihood of anything happening to you here
than any place else. It's all a matter of knowing how and then it's
just as easy as catching a football. It looks hard only to those who
have not learned. Let me show you." And