Elsie softened again at this genuine compliment, but she still felt rather doubtful as to whether this extraordinary young man really and truly believed that she was to be won, and won only, by being beaten in a golf-match. In any case the situation was becoming difficult. She began to dust the sand from her skirt and to make other preparations for departure. Pip regarded her with some concern. "You're not going yet, are you?" he said. "Yes. It's getting late." "Well, will you play me?" "On those terms?" "Yes." "Of course not, Pip. You're not serious." Pip leaned forward, and put his hand on her arm. She had half risen, but she now found herself sitting down again, rather astonished and rebellious, listening to what he was saying. "Elsie, what is the date to-morrow?" "I don't know," petulantly. "Girls never know dates." "I forgot that. Well, it is the fourteenth of August. Do you know what is going to happen at Old Trafford to-morrow?" "Why--the Australians! Fancy forgetting a Test Match! That comes of playing golf all day. But, Pip,"--she stared at him in dismayed surprise,--"why aren't you there? Surely you were chosen?" "Yes, I was chosen." "Then, why aren't you there?" "Because I'm here." "But, Pip, you ought to be playing cricket." "I prefer to play golf." "But it's a Test Match." "I'm going to play in a Test Match of my own--here." Elsie was silent again, and gazed at him, open-eyed. Pip saw that he had struck the right note. "I gave up the cricket-match to play with you," he said. "Will you play with me?" Elsie was defenceless against this appeal. She knew, better than most girls, perhaps, what it must cost a man to decline an invitation to play for England. "All right, Pip," she said gently, getting up and shaking her skirt, "I'll play you. Nine o'clock to-morrow morning. I shall beat you, though," she added. Pip said nothing. It is always politic to make a virtue of necessity. That is why one allows a woman the last word. * * * * * They were very silent as they walked home in the twilight. Pip, having achieved the object with which he had set out, had no further remarks to make. Elsie seemed less at ease, and kept shooting half-amused, half-angry glances at the obtuse young man beside her. She objected to being treated as something between a Prehistoric Peep and a Scratch Medal. Presently they came to Raven Innes's cottage. "Are you coming in, Pip?" inquired Elsie as she stood at the door. "No, thanks. Raven would keep me up all hours, and I'm going to bed _very_ early. Good-night." "Pip--" began Elsie rather unsteadily. Pip turned quickly, and beheld her standing on the step, framed by the open doorway. The setting sun glinted on her hair, and there was a curious and unfamiliar note in her voice as she addressed him. "Pip," she said, "I don't like the idea of this match. It's--it's contrary to Nature, somehow. Golf wasn't intended to settle such questions."