Adapted from Parkhurst Boys
by Talbot Baines Reed
It was a proud moment in my existence when Wright, captain of our football club, came up to me in school one Friday and said, "Adams, your name is down to play in the match against Craven to-morrow."
I could have knighted him on the spot. To be one of the picked "fifteen," whose glory it was to fight the battles of their school in the Great Close, had been the leading ambition of my life—I suppose I ought to be ashamed to confess it—ever since, as a little chap of ten, I entered Parkhurst six years ago. . . . But for a long time, do what I would, I always seemed as far as ever from the coveted goal. I was not hopeful of ever rising to win my "first fifteen cap." However, I had noticed Wright and a few others of our best players more than once lounging about in the Little Close, where we juniors used to play. They were evidently taking observations with an eye to business. Under the awful gaze of these heroes, I exerted myself as I had never done before. I did not care for hacks or bruises. I only wanted to distinguish myself in their eyes. And no music was sweeter than the occasional "Bravo, young 'un!" with which some of them would applaud any special feat of skill or daring.
So I knew my time was coming at last. I only hoped it would arrive before the day of the Craven match. It was the great match of our season—always looked forward to as the event of the Christmas term. Victory was regarded by us boys as the summit of all human glory, and defeat as an overwhelming disgrace.
. . .
I scarcely slept a wink that night for dreaming of the wonderful exploits1 which were to signalise my first appearance in the Great Close. I dreamed how I was to run the ball from one end of the field to the other, overturning, dodging, and distancing every one of the enemy, finishing up with a brilliant and mighty kick over the goal. . . . What glorious creatures we are in our dreams!
Well, the eventful day dawned at last. It was a holiday at Parkhurst, and as fine a day as any one could wish.
As I made my appearance, wearing the blue-and-red jersey of a "first fifteen man" under my jacket, I found myself quite an object of veneration2 among the juniors who had lately been my compeers3. . . . Nothing was talked of during the forenoon but the coming match.

1. daring acts
2. great respect
3. people of equal rank and status

2
How did the juniors treat Adams when they saw him wearing the football team's jersey?
A.
They treat him with indifference.
B.
They treat him with admiration and respect.
C.
They treat him with anger and jealousy.
D.
They treat him the same as always.