"And you’re a little humbug," laughed Temple, giving him a playful dig in the ribs.—"Take care of yourself, Jim. I wouldn’t give a toss to beat the Deanery if you’re out of the team." "Proper sort of chap, ain’t he?" said Dick, when the Magpie passed on. "Just fancy his proposing that the match should be put off! My stars, there aren’t many captains who would do that. How’s the leg now?" "Painful rather, but ’twill be better when I lie down." Dick helped his chum home; and while Mrs. Hartland doctored the bruised limb, he chatted gaily with Susie, telling her all about the match and the scholarship, and making merry jokes for her to laugh at. Owing to a weak spine, Susie spent most of her time lying on the sofa; but she was a bright, intelligent girl, very fond of mischievous Dick, and immensely proud of her brother. She was very glad when her mother said Jim’s leg would soon be well, for this cricket match was to be a great event in her life—a gleam of gold in a gray sky. Mrs. Hartland had hired an invalid chair, and the two boys had promised to take her to the county ground, where the game was to be played. "I do hope it will be fine," she exclaimed rather wistfully, for there were few pleasures in her life. "It’s bound to be," cried Dick, with a merry laugh. "The sun will come out on purpose to see you. Now I must be off for the practice. Give Jim plenty of goose-grease, Mrs. Hartland, and make him stay in bed till the last minute.—I’ll be round in good time in the morning, Susie.—Ta, ta, Jimmy. This will teach you not to go about knocking inspectors over in the future." "I like that," said Jim. "Why, you little fraud—" But Dick had picked up his hat, and was outside the door before he could finish. *CHAPTER II.* *THE CHALLENGE SHIELD.* Susie’s eyes sparkled and her face beamed with pleasure as she lay in the invalid-chair, with her head propped up by soft, cozy pillows. The boys had found a splendid spot for the carriage, while her mother and Mrs. Boden sat beside her. And to make her happiness complete, Jim had declared that his leg was not in the least bit painful. "Isn’t it prime?" said Dick, who had come over for a last word. "You’d never have guessed we could be such awful swells. There’s the mayor in the pavilion, and no end of big-wigs with him." "Where’s Jim?" "Oh, he’s tossing with Temple, and he’s lost too; our fellows are coming out to field." It was an ideal day for cricket. The sun shone brightly, but a cool breeze tempered its heat, making it pleasant for players and spectators alike. The ground was packed with people, who cheered heartily as Jim led his team into the field. Hundreds of boys were there, some sporting the Magpie colours, others the blue and white favours of the Deanery, while many of the principal men in the town had come with their wives and children to watch the final struggle for the challenge shield.