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. Whit, I'm pulling a stroke for you.Now listen and don't be offended.I knowwhat's put you off your feed, because I was the same way when Milly had meguessing.You've lost your head over Nan Brown.That's not so terrible, thoughI daresay you think it's a catastrophe.Because you've quit.You've shown ayellow streak.You've lain down. My boy, that isn't the way to win a girl.You've got to scrap.Milly told meyesterday how she had watched your love affairs with Nan, and how she thoughtyou had given up just when things might have come your way.Nan is a littleflirt, but she's all right.What's more, she was getting fond of you.Nan ismeanest to the man she likes best.The way to handle her, Whit, is to masterher.Play high and mighty.Get tragical.Then grab her up in your arms.I tellyou, Whit, it'll all come your way if you only keep your nerve.I'm yourfriend and so is Milly.We're going out to her house presently--and Nan willbe there.The Rube drew a long, deep breath and held out his hand.I sensed anotherstage in the evolution of Whit Hurtle. I reckon I've taken baseball coachin', he said presently,  an' I don't seewhy I can't take some other kind.I'm only a rube, an' things come hard forme, but I'm a-learnin'.It was about dark when we arrived at the house. Hello, Connie.You're late.Good evening, Mr.Hurtle.Come right in.You'vemet Miss Nan Brown? Oh, of course; how stupid of me!It was a trying moment for Milly and me.A little pallor showed under theRube's tan, but he was more composed than I had expected.Nan got up from thepiano.She was all in white and deliciously pretty.She gave a quick, gladstart of surprise.What a relief that was to my troubled mind! Everything haddepended upon a real honest liking for Whit, and she had it.More than once I had been proud of Milly's cleverness, but this night ashostess and an accomplice she won my everlasting admiration.She contrived togive the impression that Whit was a frequent visitor at her home and verywelcome.She brought out his best points, and in her skillful hands he lostembarrassment and awkwardness.Before the evening was over Nan regarded Whitwith different eyes, and she never dreamed that everything had not come aboutnaturally.Then Milly somehow got me out on the porch, leaving Nan and Whittogether. Milly, you're a marvel, the best and sweetest ever, I whispered. We'rePage 42ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlgoing to win.It's a cinch. Well, Connie, not that--exactly, she whispered back demurely. But it lookshopeful.I could not help hearing what was said in the parlor. Now I can roast you, Nan was saying, archly.She had switched back to herfavorite baseball vernacular. You pitched a swell game last Saturday inRochester, didn't you? Not! You had no steam, no control, and you couldn'thave curved a saucer. Nan, what could you expect? was the cool reply. You sat up in the standwith your handsome friend.I reckon I couldn't pitch.I just gave the gameaway. Whit!--Whit!----Then I whispered to Milly that it might be discreet for us to move a littleway from the vicinity.It was on the second day afterward that I got a chance to talk to Nan.Shereached the grounds early, before Milly arrived, and I found her in the grandstand.The Rube was down on the card to pitch and when he started to warm upNan said confidently that he would shut out Hartford that afternoon. I'm sorry, Nan, but you're way off.We'd do well to win at all, let aloneget a shutout. You're a fine manager! she retorted, hotly. Why won't we win? Well, the Rube's not in good form.The Rube---- Stop calling him that horrid name. Whit's not in shape.He's not right.He's ill or something is wrong.I'mworried sick about him. Why--Mr.Connelly! exclaimed Nan.She turned quickly toward me.I crowded on full canvas of gloom to my already long face. I 'm serious, Nan.The lad's off, somehow [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]