“Suppose we go over it together,” said the Professor, “and let me see if I can get an idea what it is all about. Now, right at the beginning you say Jones, one of the big family (I can understand that), the first to swing the willow for the enemy, etc., what do you mean by that?” asked the Professor. “Well,” answered Tim, “the bat is made of willow, the Barber nine is our enemy for the time being. A grass cutter is a ball that is rolled swiftly over the grass. Jones hit a ground ball to shortstop, who picked it up and threw it to first base.” “Good,” said the Professor. “Now let’s see the rest of it. Knight hit a sunscraper into the meridian and Gibbie pocketed it on the return trip.” “Perfectly plain, Professor,” said Tim. “A high building is a skyscraper--then a high ball might be a sunscraper--the meridian is directly overhead, isn’t it? Then this ball that Knight hit went straight up in the air, very high, Gibbie the catcher caught it easily when it came down.” “Not bad,” said the Professor. “Let’s take the next line. Wilson stung the pellet to Robbville, which Ty annexed without leaving his office. What----?” “That means,” continued Tim, “that Wilson hit the ball hard to right field where Tyrus Robb plays, and hit it absolutely into his hands. He didn’t have to leave his office means, he didn’t have to move to get it.” “I begin to be interested in your new style of English. It seems all right if you have a key handy. Are you going to furnish a glossary of terms with each of your reports after this, Murnin? “Suppose we go on. Now then you say: Ross launched a Lusitania to Amberg which broke down in midocean. What possible connection can there be between a fast liner and a ball game?” “You have it. Fine. Don’t you see how quickly the meaning comes to you when you get a start? Lusitania--a fast liner--launched to Amberg--went straight for him--broke down in midocean--it stopped when it got to Amberg, who caught it.” “Good, now let’s see if I can figure it out myself. Everson loafed (waited) around the rubber (the plate) for four misfits (four balls, I guess); Little Arthur (must be Delvin) stung a beauty (a good one) over the near station--near station? (Oh! yes, third base) which took him to the first stop (first base) and opened the switches for Everson’s (let’s see, where was Everson? Oh, yes, he got a base on balls and was on first) run to the middle station (Everson got to second), Honus bumped a daisy scorcher (now, what’s a daisy scorcher, Tim?)” “A low ball, not one rolling on the ground, but a little raised, about as high as the daisy blossoms.” “Good, Honus bumped a daisy scorcher to Jones which the latter pickled (he must have gotten it and put Honus out if it went as a sacrifice). Delvin navigated to second (advanced to second) and the Human Crab breezed to third. (Who’s the Crab? Let me see, he must have been on second. Do you call Everson the Human Crab?)” “Yes,” said Tim.