Clint regretted that defeat, but it didn’t affect his spirits any. As a
matter of fact, Clint had reached a state of second team patriotism that
precluded his being heart-broken about anything save a humiliating
beating of the second. And most of the other members of Mr. Boutelle’s
constituency felt the same way. It was regrettable to have the school
team worsted, but the main thing in life was the glory of the second. If
Coach Robey had suggested that Clint should throw in his lot with the
‘varsity just then Clint might have felt flattered but he would probably
have gently and firmly declined the promotion. “Boots,” in short, had in
a bare fortnight endowed his charges with an enthusiasm and _esprit de
corps_ that was truly remarkable. “Anyone would think,” said Amy one day
when Clint had been singing the praises of the second team, “that you
dubs were the only football players in school. Ever hear of the ‘varsity
team, Clint? Of course I may be mistaken, but I’ve been given to
understand that they have one or two fairly good men on the ‘varsity.”