As W. G. led the victorious eleven back to the remains of the strawberries and cream, our representative understood the Champion to remark:-- “I’ve said all along that this very toney, classy Middlesex team had only got to be tackled fair for the stitches to come undone, and the sawdust to begin to trickle. Two lickings in succession’s pretty thick, ain’t it, Stoddy? You two’ll stay to dinner of course?” “Charmed,” said I promptly. And then in a judicious aside to George, “But what price togs? Riding breeches and a flannel shirt, don’t you know!” “Don’t fag with dressing when we’re on our own, do we boys,” said the consummate Grace, who had an alertness that was as perfect as her frankness. “The Guv’nor’s good as gold, especially in summer. It’s only when the Bishop brings his Mary, or there’s a bit of a slap-up dinner party on, which I sometimes let the Guv’nor have if his behaviour’s been very beautiful, well then, of course, we have to buck up a bit, and try to look pretty.” “Ever so easy in your case,” said I. Alas! it fell on perfectly deaf ears. CHAPTER XIV In which I am more Sinned against than Sinning WHILE eight men were scrubbing themselves in the bath-room prior to the dinner bell, their behaviour, as is only too usual when eight men are trying to do the same thing at the same time, was not too lady-like. Their talk also was breezy and of a rather penetrating kind. “If Brightside’s not here to-night with intent,” said Elphinstone, in his slow, clerical sing-song, in the middle of a free fight round a bath-towel, “you can call me American. I’ve been looking at Brightside, and I’m certain that he meditates making a silly ass of himself.” “Do you, Brightside?” I cried, with deep feeling. “Oh, damn,” said the Optimist coarsely. But his complexion was becoming a fine tawny. “He’s going through with it to-night though, if it kills him,” said the wicked little parson. “More likely to kill her,” said Carteret. “Matter of opinion,” said the little parson: “but one can’t help respecting Brightside. No earthly and all that, he knows, but I’m certain that he’s going to cause Grace to become a sister to him.” “So there!” said Carteret.