CHAPTER XII: BEATING THE JUNIORS WITH LUCIA
Life went on in such a rush! It always did, but that was half the funnow, Betty thought. At home little was demanded of her except theregular little duties, given to each of the children and expected moreby their father than their mother, though for her benefit.
Athletics started off with a boom, pep meetings, the new football teamon the platform, the organization of the girls' teams, all sorts oftry-outs and some scheming. Alas, the seniors who had been on lastyear's champion football team left such a hole that it was hard to fillwith material good enough to make a winning team. And oh, how sad it waswhen a series of defeats made the championship out of the question forLyon High. At least they must beat the Eagles, and the coach tried toprepare them for that almost final game. But no! Betty, who sat besideLouise Madison, loyal enough to see the great game of the year by herbeloved high school, and they shook their heads sadly at each other asthe time passed first with no score at all on either side for the firsthalf, then with the Lions unable to "hold them" and the Eagles scoringboth by forward passes and "straight football." It was awful, Louisesaid, but "Maybe the Lions have it coming to them," said Louise. "And itisn't good for a high school to get too cocky. We've got about all thecups there are--so let the Eagle scream this time!"
It was so romantic! Here was Ted again, coming around to talk to Louise,and Louise, more flirtatious and self-conscious than she had been beforeUniversity days, being just as charming as she could. But Ted paid justas much attention to Betty and was as gallant as ever to both of thegirls. Lucia, also, came in for her share of attention, as she sat nextto Betty in the big stadium and heard all the comments with the greatestinterest or amusement as the case may be.
"Oh, your football is so exciting," she said. "It makes me think of thebull fights in Spain!"
"Yes, and you used to have thumbs down in your Roman theatres, too,"mischievously added Ted.
"We have a big picture of the Coliseum at home," said Peggy, behindLucia, and Lucia turned to give Peggy a glance of amusement.
"We had lions, then," she added.
"Lions, rah!" said Ted Dorrance, but the tiresome last plays were onnow. Time was nearly up and there was no hope for the Lions, even ifthey should score. Lyon High rooters began to rise, wearily, and gatherup rugs, cushions or newspapers to take their departure.
This game took place just a week before the final hockey matches betweenthe classes. Lucia and Mathilde had "made" the hockey team. Betty hadbeen hurt a little in the try-out, and Peggy insisted that Mathilde didit on purpose, but Betty refused to believe it and played happily onwhat they themselves called the "scrub team," the team which played withits own team to prepare them for the contest, also to have able materialon hand in case it was necessary or best to put in substitutes. Bettywas always keen about whatever game she played, but she really cared forexcellence in its proper sense only in swimming.
"Don't worry, Kathryn," she said to Gypsy. "Whether Mathilde intendedthat or not doesn't matter, I'll watch after this and somebody has to beon the second team, so why shouldn't it be I? Moreover, I had everythingto learn about hockey, after all, and I think Mathilde has played."
"She said she has, but I don't believe it. There's favoritism. Mathildefor some reason stands in with one of the athletic teachers and I sawher talking with the others that day. I'm not going to tell you who sheis, though. Do you mind?"
"I'd rather not know, though of course I'm curious. Tell me after thematch!"
But all things considered, Betty began to want to do well. "Let's beatthe first team, girls," she said to her girls just before the lastpractice game, and beat the first team they did, though scolded for it.
"Now don't let the fact that the second team beat you discourage you atall, girls," said the athletic teacher who had watched the game. "It wasa close game and let it make you all the more careful against the otherteams in your class contest. I'm not favoring one team more thananother; but I want to encourage every one to do its very best."
"The freshman team hasn't had enough practice," said Carolyn in the gymbefore the games. The girls were putting on their customary equipmentand donning sweaters, for it was cold though clear outside, with theground hard, yet free from snow. Unless it rained, the climate in whichLyon High rejoiced was good for outdoor sports almost until Christmas."So I think that the freshmen will be out of it and the juniors andsophomores play against each other at the last. The seniors are too sureand they have some weak material. I've been watching their practicegames."
Carolyn was not playing, but "terribly interested," she said. Manysophomore rooters were on hand when the games were played, and sureenough, it was the juniors against the sophomores at the last. Mathildewas hit by one of the hockey sticks early in the games and Betty tookher place, much to Mathilde's discomfiture. Her "hated rival" playedalong with the daughter of a countess, whose friendship Mathilde so muchwanted to have for herself, and only for herself.
"Good, Betty," said Lucia, when Betty was put in. "I'm sorry forMathilde, but she makes so many wild plays and isn't quick enough. Nowlet's beat the juniors all to pieces, as you girls say!"
Fast and furiously went the game. The juniors expected to win, yet theywere never taken unaware. It was a fair and excellent game, the athleticdirectors said, yet the sophomores did win and Lucia threw her armsaround Betty after it was over. "I'm going to tell my uncle how youplayed, Betty!" she exclaimed. "I wanted Mother to come and see me dosomething, but she wouldn't. She only hoped I wouldn't get hurt and itwouldn't turn out like the hike! How's that for a mother that came overhere on purpose to make an American out of me?"
"Did she, honestly, Lucia," asked Betty, hugging Lucia in return.
"Of course she did and I like it now, only I shall always want myfather, too."
"Well, you write him that you were 'the noblest Roman of them all,'according to me, and I _know_!"
"I will, Betty," and Lucia's smile was a happy one. "Come on," said she,"let's go and comfort poor Mathilde."
"That is dear of you, Lucia, and I would, only it would look too muchlike crowing over her because I was put in in her place. Besides, she'dbe happier anyway for you to think of her--by yourself."
Lucia's dark eyes surveyed Betty thoughtfully. "You always think ofeverything, Betty. How do you do it? I like you, Betty Lee!" and Luciaturned to find Mathilde, who was limping away with a small group ofsophomores.
"You're pretty nice, yourself, Lucia," Betty sent after her, and Luciawaved a deprecatory hand.
Betty Lee, Sophomore Page 12
