oteworthy. Judd had
existed apart from them and their activities. He could not expect to
be readily accepted into the ranks of those who had been proven under
fire. Judd backed away, feeling self-conscious. As he left the crowd
his face flushed crimson at a low-voiced remark which reached him.
"Hump! He won't last long! He's got a streak of yellow a yard wide
all the way down his spine!"

When Judd asked his mother for money to purchase football togs she knew
that her intuition had been correct. Mrs. Billings sat staring at him
for a moment. Judd was hoping that his mother would refuse him. His
own decision was weakening. He still had a chance to get out of it.
His eyes ... his studies ... he would have to make up some work in
order to be eligible to play ... there were so many convenient
excuses.... And if his mother should put her foot down it would be so
much easier to withdraw. Mrs. Billings was having a struggle too. She
was picturing her guarded care of the boy and contrasting his life for
the first time with that of Bob's. Was it right, after all, to keep a
boy from athletics? What had her plan done for Judd? It had made of
him a coward, a boy who was afraid of himself and afraid of other
people. Mrs. Billings turned to the drawer and took out the money,
handing it over to Judd.

Judd took the money and hurried out. His heart was pounding strangely.
To think that his mother had changed! She, of all people! What had
come over her? Now there was no backing out. He must go ahead. He
had gotten his foot in it. Why had he been so forward? No one had
expected him to go out for football. They would have let him alone.
It would be a bigger disgrace to go out and fail than not to go out at
all. At least this is the way it seemed to Judd. And he was afraid of
failing more than anything else.

CHAPTER II.

JUDD GRITS HIS TEETH

Judd was the object of curious eyes the first night out. Coach Little
kept the squad busy passing the football about, kicking and catching
punts. Judd was exceedingly nervous. He dropped several punts, muffed
passes and when the ball was given him to kick, missed it completely
due to over anxious embarrassment. The sight was highly amusing to the
rest of the squad, all of whom could boast of some football experience.
Coach Little sought to have the boys show respect to Judd, appreciating
his feelings. Judd knew that he could do better; he knew that he had