But in that Martin was wrong. Neither the next day nor in the days that immediately followed, did the Owl come forward with overtures. He seemed to have dropped the matter from his mind. He could not have been unaware that his status in the school had changed. Whereas, in his own peculiar way, he had found a peculiarly warm place in the life of Northfield, he now met coldness. Groups broke up and scattered at his approach. But he merely went his way, his absorption in his books apparently more pronounced than before.
More than one baseball nine has gone to pieces under the staggering loss of a star. Chandler, at second base, accustomed to playing alongside Martin, felt a doubt of Post, the new shortstop. Instead of throwing the ball with the superb confidence that Martin would get it, he now took time to look before letting the ball go. Play about the middle bag became slower, and indecision communicated itself to the other infielders. Even Hammond, when he knew that Post was to take the throw, developed streaks of wildness. And Jennings, watching it all with understanding eyes and refusing to deceive himself, muttered under his breath and ran harassed hands through his hair.
Rahway came to Northfield for the first May
