Tell England: A Study in a GenerationRaymond, Ernest
General
Tell England: A Study in a Generation
Raymond, Ernest
World War, 1914-1918 -- Fiction
Every vigorous hit of White's, even if it soared skyward, was
cheered with loud cries of "Good old Moles!" Every time his
unpardonable catches were dropped, the acclamations were lost in
laughter. And when with a splendid stroke he lifted the score over
the Masters' total and into three figures, White enjoyed the triumph
of his school career.
By this time there was collected behind the railings that surround
Kensingtowe a fine crowd of carters and cabmen, who had "woahed"
their horses and were standing on their boxes, enjoying an excellent
view. They had no idea what the match was, or who were winning, but
every time they heard the boys begin to cheer, they waved their
hats, brandished their whips, and cheered and whistled as well. The
excellent fellows only knew that the great crowd of young gents was
happy, and were benignantly pleased to share their happiness.
White made his fifty and was bowled in attempting the most
abominable of blind-swipes. He returned towards the pavilion, so far
forgetting himself in his pleasure as to swing about his bat like a
tennis-racket. What thunderous applause he received! It was his last
term, and his last match. And I am glad that the final picture,
which our memory preserves of White alive, shows us the sterling oaf
departing after a glorious innings, surrounded by uproarious
school-fellows, and smiling as only the righteous can. Grand old
boy, may we meet many more like you!
By a quarter to five the School total had reached the astonishing
figure of 350. To this I had contributed 4, with which I was very
satisfied, as it was four more than I expected. Lancaster declared,
and the school by its applause endorsed the decision.
Now, how did the position stand? Stumps were to be drawn at 7.30. To
save the innings defeat the Masters must score over 250 in two hours
and a half. An impossible achievement--a hundred to one on an
innings defeat! But would they all be bowled out in the little time
left? With luck, and Honion in form, yes. And luck was with us, and
Honion in great form this afternoon. Oh, a thousand to one on an
innings defeat!
Sec.5
The School took the field without unnecessary delay, and Radley
opened the Masters' innings. They were going to make a fight of it,
then. But the School had set its heart on the innings victory, and
the team had the moral strength derived from the concentrated
determination of six hundred boys. What had the Masters to oppose
this? Nothing save Radley and a handful of tarnished Blues.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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