――_Rossetti._ ‘He that hath found some fledg’d bird’s nest may know, At first sight, if the bird be flown; But what fair Well or Grove he sings in now, That is to him unknown.’ ――_Henry Vaughan._ At breakfast Jim issued his croquet challenge, which was immediately taken up by Edward and Palmer, with the natural result that all the others wanted to play too. “Why not let them have a tournament?” said Aunt Caroline. “I’m sure they’d like that.” “Capital idea, if everybody is willing to join in.” Jim was already counting up the possible entries, nodding at each person as he mentally ticked him off. “There’s nine here,” he said. “That won’t do――unless you’re going to play singles. I wonder if we could get anybody else?” “I’m sure Mr. Drummond would play. He’s always most obliging.” The canon chuckled. “You’d better send a deputation to wait upon him then. He ought to be told what he’s letting himself in for.” “Who’s Mr. Drummond?” asked Jim. “He’s grandpapa’s curate, dear; and if he comes you must all be very nice to him.” “Why? Is he ill?” Jim wondered. “No; but it is possible to be nice to people even when they’re well.” “Oh yes; I thought you meant――――” “I shall choose Balmer,” Ann declared. “You won’t do anything of the sort,” answered Edward. “You’ve just heard us arrange to play together.” “Partners will be drawn for,” Aunt Caroline decided. “That avoids all difficulties and disputes.” “We’ll stick our names down on bits of paper and put them in a hat!” cried Jim. He jumped up from the table to put this plan into instant execution, but was called back by Miss Johnson. Reluctantly he returned to his chair. “Bags I to be drawer,” he murmured; and watching till he saw Miss Johnson’s attention diverted he gave his grandfather a slight nudge. “_You_ write the names down.” He felt in his trouser pockets and produced a stump of pencil. Grandpapa, having sampled it, dipped his fingers in hot water and preferred to use his own. He tore up a long blue envelope and wrote the names as Jim called them out. “It had better be an American tournament; each pair to play every other pair: and those who get most points of course win the prize.” “Will we begin to-day?” asked Jim, dropping a spoonful of marmalade on the table-cloth. “Oh, sorry, frightfully!” “Jim! I _never_ saw you behaving so badly!” The remark came from Miss Johnson, but Jim, secure in his grandfather’s protection, remained unperturbed. “Yes, you can begin to-day. I must make out a card――for keeping the scores on, you know. Five entries:――that will mean ten games altogether.” He explained how the points were to be counted.