The Major glared at the interrupter for a moment. Then--for he knows his weakness, and is particularly fond of Thomas--he threw his paper down and laughed. "Well," he said, "are we going to win to-day?" And while he and Archie talked about the wicket his daughter removed _The Times_ to a safe distance. "But there aren't eleven of you, here," said Miss Fortescue to me, "and if you and Mr Simpson and Major Mannering aren't very good you'll be beaten. It's against the village the first two days, isn't it?" "When I said we weren't very good, I only meant we didn't make many runs. Mr Simpson is a noted fast bowler, the Major has a M.C.C. scarf, which can be seen quite easily at point, and I keep wicket. Between us we dismiss many a professor. Just as they are shaping for a cut, you know, they catch sight of the Major's scarf, lose their heads and give me an easy catch. Then Archie and Thomas take centuries, one of the gardeners bends them from the off and makes them swim a bit, the Vicar of his plenty is lending us two sons, Tony and Dahlia Blair come down this morning, and there is a chauffeur who plays for keeps. How many is that?" "Eleven, isn't it?" "It ought only to be ten," said Myra, who had overheard. "Oh yes, I was counting Miss Blair," said Miss Fortescue. "We never play more than ten a side," said Archie. "Oh, why?" "So as to give the scorer an extra line or two for the byes." Myra laughed; then, catching my eye, looked preternaturally solemn. "If you've quite finished breakfast, Mr Gaukrodger," she said, "there'll be just time for me to beat you at croquet before the Rabbits take the field." "Right O," I said. Of course, you know, my name isn't really Gaukrodger. CHAPTER II ON THE RUN The Major has taken a great deal of trouble with his ground, and the result pleases everybody. If you are a batsman you applaud the short boundaries; if you are a wicket-keeper (as I am), and Thomas is bowling what he is pleased to call googlies, you have leisure to study some delightful scenery; and if you are a left-handed bowler, with a delivery outside the screen, there is behind you a belt of trees which you cannot fail to admire. When Archie was born, and they announced the fact to the Major, his first question was (so I understand), "Right or left handed?" They told him "Left" to quiet him, and he went out and planted a small forest, so that it should be ready for Archibald's action when he grew up. Unfortunately, Archie turned out to be no bowler at all (in my opinion)--and right-handed at that. Nemesis, as the ha'penny papers say. "Well?" we all asked, when Archie came back from tossing. "They lost, and put us in." "Good man." "May I have my sixpence back?" I said. "You haven't bent it or anything, have you? Thanks." As the whole pavilion seemed to be full of people putting on their pads in order to go in first, I wandered outside. There I met Myra.