Part 51 (1/2)

[26] #Set-tos#: fights or encounters of any kind.

”Yes, I must say he did,” said Arthur. ”I think, sir, you've hit upon the wrong book there.”

”Not a bit of it,” said the master. ”Why, in those very pa.s.sages of arms, how can you thoroughly appreciate them unless you are masters of the weapons? and the weapons are the language, which you, Brown, have never half worked at; and so, as I say, you must have lost all the delicate shades of meaning which make the best part of the fun.”

”Oh! well played--bravo, Johnson!” shouted Arthur, dropping his hat and clapping furiously, and Tom joined in with a ”Bravo, Johnson!”

which might have been heard at the chapel.

”Eh! what is it? I didn't see,” inquired the master; ”they only got one run, I thought?”

”No, but such a ball, three-quarters length, and coming straight for his leg-bail.[27] Nothing but that turn of the wrist could have saved him, and he drew it away to leg[28] for a safe one. Bravo, Johnson!”

[27] #Leg-bail#: part of the wicket.

[28] #To leg#: to the left and rear.

”How well they are bowling, though,” said Arthur; ”they don't mean to be beat, I can see.”

”There, now,” struck in the master ”you see that's just what I have been preaching this half-hour. The delicate play is the true thing. I don't understand cricket, so I don't enjoy those fine draws[29] which you tell me are the best play, though when you or Raggles. .h.i.t a ball hard away for six,[30] I am as delighted as any one. Don't you see the a.n.a.logy?”

[29] #Draws#: good play by the batsman.

[30] #Hard away for six#: to the best advantage.

”Yes, sir,” answered Tom, looking up roguishly, ”I see; only the question remains whether I should have got most good by understanding Greek particles or cricket thoroughly. I'm such a thick, I never should have had time for both.”

”I see you are an incorrigible,” said the master, with a chuckle; ”but I refute you by an example. Arthur there has taken in Greek and cricket, too.”

”Yes, but no thanks to him; Greek came natural to him. Why, when he first came I remember he used to read Herodotus[31] for pleasure, as I did Don Quixote,[32] and couldn't have made a false concord if he tried ever so hard--and then I looked after his cricket.”

[31] #Herodotus#: an early Greek writer, ”the father of history.”

[32] #Don Quixote#: a Spanish romance.

”Out! Bailey has given him out--do you see, Tom?” cries Arthur. ” How foolish of them to run so hard!”

”Well, it can't be helped, he has played very well. Whose turn is it to go in?”

”I don't know; they've got your list in the tent.”

”Let's go and see,” said Tom, rising; but at this moment Jack Raggles and two or three more came running to the island moat.

”Oh, Brown, mayn't I go in next?” shouts the Swiper.

”Whose name is next on the list?” says the captain.

”Winter's, and then Arthur's,” answers the boy who carries it; ”but there are only twenty-six runs to get, and no time to lose. I heard Mr. Aislabie say that the stumps must be drawn at a quarter past eight exactly.”

”Oh, do let the Swiper go in,” chorus the boys; so Tom yields against his better judgment.

”I dare say now I've lost the match by this nonsense,” he says, as he sits down again; ”they'll be sure to get Jack's wicket in three or four minutes; however, you'll have the chance, sir, of seeing a hard hit or two,” adds he, smiling, and turning to the master.