[Sidenote: Quarrelsome Play]
“Come on, Mr. Frank, first batter!” “Pitcher!” “Catcher!” “First base!”
Soon every position was filled as the boys and the teacher of the eighth
grade streamed out of the schoolhouse.
“Come on, Mr. Frank, play with us.”
“No, not today, boys. I have something else to do now, I can’t.”
This was the third and last time for the season that the boys of Mount
Holly School urged this young man to enter into his privilege in play.
He stood off and for a few moments closely observed the outcome. The
game started after some parleying, but was soon interrupted by
dissension.
“He’s out.” “You’re out.” “Throw him out.” “I won’t do it,” and scores
of chopped-off utterances filled the air. Ten minutes were lost in hot
argument out of which no one gained the least value. Big boys squeezed
smaller ones out of their turn and these, lacking any opportunity for
play, stood about occupied with gloomy thoughts.
“They don’t get on well together—I wonder what the matter is with these
fellows,” Mr. Frank remarked.