"
Alas, my son Jack, the enemy is too old for thee. The first ball of the
over Jack steps out and meets, swiping with all his force. If he had
only allowed for the twist! But he hasn't, and so the ball goes spinning
up straight in the air, as if it would never come down again. Away runs
Jack, shouting and trusting to the chapter of accidents; but the bowler
runs steadily under it, judging every spin, and calling out, "I have
it," catches it, and playfully pitches it on to the back of the stalwart
Jack, who is departing with a rueful countenance.
"I knew how it would be," says Tom, rising. "Come along; the game's
getting very serious."
So they leave the island and go to the tent; and after deep
consultation, Arthur is sent in, and goes off to the wicket with a last
exhortation from Tom to play steady and keep his bat straight. To the
suggestions that Winter is the best bat left, Tom only replies, "Arthur
is the steadiest, and Johnson will make the runs if the wicket is only
kept up."
"I am surprised to see Arthur in the eleven," said the master, as they
stood together in front of the dense crowd, which was now closing in
round the ground.
"Well, I'm not quite sure that he ought to be in for his play," said
Tom, "but I couldn't help putting him in. It will do him so much good,
and you can't think what I owe him."
The master smiled.
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