"Well, well," exclaimed Mr. Mole, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating. I will call base-ball a very scientific game, and with your kind permission, I will show you how an old cricketer can play." "Agreed," said Morris Hart. This being settled, Mr. Merrifield left them together, and it was arranged that Mr. Mole should go over to the grounds at Hoboken at a certain hour. Morris gave him the club clothes, blue stockings, etc., which he put in a grip sack and left him, after exacting a promise that he would be on time. Mr. Mole was no sooner possessed of the cap, shirt, drawers and stockings, than he went to his room and put them on. Very comical indeed was his appearance, for his long, gaunt, angular form made him look like an animated scarecrow. Anxious to display himself, he went to Harkaway's room, finding Jack and Harvey engaged in conversation. "Say, boys," exclaimed the professor, "what do you think of me?" They regarded him with astonishment. "What lunacy is this?" inquired Jack. "Eh!" exclaimed Harvey, "what is it?" "I give it up," replied Jack. "Give it up?" "Yes. Ask me an easier one." "It must have escaped from a menagerie," said Harvey. Mr. Mole regarded them with a lofty air. "No doubt you think yourselves mighty funny," he remarked. "But you can run me, all you like. I am going to show these Yankees how an Englishman can play base-ball." "You going to play?" "Yes, boys. I am a Blue shirt, or a cap, or a stocking, I forget which, but I know I'm blue." "Perhaps you will be black and blue before you get through," said Jack. "Good for the major," ejaculated Harvey, laughing. "All right, boys. Have your little jokes with the old man, but you will see how I shall paralyze the Americans with my play." "I wish you luck," answered Harkaway, "and would go with you, only I expect Van Hoosen here." "Is there any fresh news about the marriage?" asked Mole. "None. Mrs. Van Hoosen has made up her mind that Lena shall marry Maltravers," replied Jack. "Misguided girl!" "She is, indeed. I have every reason to know that she does not love him, and only a mistaken sense of duty to her mother makes her accept him." "What are you going to do about it?" "What can I do? The marriage is to take place to-morrow." "So soon?" "Yes. I give you my word I am nearly crazy, for I love that girl better than my life." Mr. Mole heaved a deep sigh. "I loved once," he said, "and my wife used to go for my scalp, which had the effect of destroying love's young dream." "I should think so," replied Harvey. "But, my dear sir," exclaimed Jack, "you will admit, I hope, that married life is the happiest state of existence." "I'll admit nothing." "No happiness is to be found outside of the home circle." "It depends on a man's temperament, also on how a man is brought up. A Philadelphian is happy at home, a New Yorker is ignorant of the meaning of the word 'Home,'" replied Mr. Mole.