When the door had closed upon the three, Sydney placed his crutches
under his arms and moved over to the chair beside the couch.
“Look here, Neil, you dont really think, do you, that youll have any
trouble getting back into your place?”
“I hardly know. Of course two weeks of idleness makes a big difference.
And besides, Im losing a lot of practise. This new close-formation that
Mills is teaching will be Greek to me.”
“Its simple enough,” said Sydney. “The backs are bunched right up to
the line, the halfs on each side of quarter, and the full just
behind him.”
“Well, but I dont Us Sport Clocks. see–”
“Wait,” interrupted Sydney, “Ill show you.”
He drew a folded sheet of paper from his pocket and passed it to the
other. Neil scowled over it a moment, and then looked up helplessly.
[Illustration]
“What is it?” he asked. “Something weird in geometry?”
“No,” laughed Sydney, “its a play from close-formation. I drew it this
morning.”
“Oh,” said Neil. “Lets see; what–Here, explain it; where do I come
in?”
“Why, your position is at the left of quarter, behind the center-guard,
and a little farther back. Full stands directly behind quarter. See?”
“Pshaw! if we get into a crowd like that,” said Neil, “well get all
tied up.”
“No you wont; not the way Mills and Devoe are teaching it. You see, the
idea is to knife the backs through; there isnt any plunging to speak of
and not much hurdling. The forwards open up a hole, and almost before
the balls well in play one of the backs is squirming through. Quarter
gives you the ball at a hand-pass, always; theres no long passing done;
except, of course, for a kick. Being right up to the line when play
begins it only takes you a fraction of a second to hit it; and then, if
the holes there youre through before the other side has opened their
eyes. Of course, it all depends on speed and the ability of the line-men
to make holes. Youve got to be on your toes, and youve got to get off
them like a streak of lightning.”
“Well, maybe its all right,” said Neil doubtfully, “but it looks like
a mix-up. Who gets the ball in this play here?”
“Right half. Left half plunges through between left-guard and center to
make a diversion. Full-back goes through between left tackle and end
ahead of right half, who carries the ball. Quarter follows. Of course
the play can be made around end instead. What do you think of it?”
“All right; but–I think Id ought to have the ball.”
“You would when the play went to the right,” laughed Sydney. “The fact
is, I–this particular play hasnt been used. I sort of got it up
myself. I dont know whether it would be any good. I sometimes try my
hand at inventing plays, just for fun, you know.”
“Really?” exclaimed Neil. “Well, you are smart. I could no more draw all
those nice little cakes and pies and things than I could fly. And it–it
looks plausible, I think. But Im no authority on this sort of thing.
Are you going to show it to Devoe?”
“Oh, no; I dare say its no use. It may be as old as the hills; I
suppose it is. Its hard to find anything new nowadays in
football plays.”
“But you dont know,” said Neil. “Maybe its a good thing. Ill tell
you, Syd, you let me have this, and Ill show it to Mills.”
“Oh, Id rather not,” protested Sydney, reddening. “Of course it
doesnt amount to anything; I dare say hes thought of it long ago.”
“But maybe he hasnt,” Neil persuaded. “Come, let me show it to him,
like a good chap.”
“Well–But couldnt you let him think you did it?”
“No; Id be up a tree if he asked me to explain it. But dont you be
afraid of Mills; hes a fine chap. Come and see me to-morrow night,
will you?”
Sydney agreed, and, arising, swung himself across the study to where his
coat and cap lay.
“By the way,” he asked, “wheres Paul to-night?”
“Hes calling on Cowan,” answered Neil.
