“I am sorry to seem to protest,” she said apologetically, turning to the referee, “but really we are not playing girls’ rules at all. You have not called a single foul!”
“I have to admit that I don’t know much about girls’ rules,” he replied. “I’m not refereeing from choice, you know. Nobody would be more thankful than I to see Miss Ainsworth appear.”
“Well,” explained Marjorie, relenting a little at his humility, “it is a foul to charge or attack a player with the ball, and two hands on it give possession. Our team won’t play this kind of game.”
“I’ll be as careful as I can,” the other agreed. “But you know—fellows’ rules—and fellows’ games——”
“Yes, I understand,” smiled Marjorie. “But do your best!”
She walked across to her own little group, who were taking advantage of the time-out to talk with each other in animated and angry tones about their opponents.
“Let’s get in and fight!” cried Queenie. “Do them like they’re doin’ us! Kick ’em and trip ’em——”
“No, girls, that’s a contemptible way to play, and I am surprised that any Girl Scouts would stoop to it. I would be mortally ashamed of my team if they would do such a thing. Better a thousand times to lose the game.”
“But our team has them cinched a mile!” protested Stella, who was very eager to win.
“I wish we could consult Mr. Wilkinson!” exclaimed Queenie. “He’d let us play rough.”
“No, he wouldn’t, either,” answered Marjorie. “He’s too good a sport for that—and that kind of playing is the poorest kind of sportsmanship. We can consult him between halves, but not on a time-out. There’s the whistle—remember now, girls—good, clean playing!”
The girls sulked a little, but Marjorie knew that they would do as she asked.
The game proceeded with very little difference. The referee eased his conscience by calling one personal foul when the opposing side-center actually knocked little Dot Williams down in an attempt to secure the ball; but after that he subsided into the same slip-shod manner. At last the whistle blew for the half, with Troop Ninety-Seven in the lead at a score of 14–10.
Marjorie’s team was absolutely worn out, besides being angry and disgusted. They rushed over to Jack, repeating their plea to use the same kind of tactics their opponents were employing. But Jack was as firm as Marjorie in his refusal; in fact, he went farther and said that if they tried it in spite of his orders, he would sever his connections with the team. This was the deciding factor; the girls all liked and admired their coach, and had no desire to lose him.