"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 for pleasure as I did Don Quixote, and couldn't have made a false concord if he'd tried ever so hard—and then I looked after his cricket."
"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 bard hit or two," adds he, smiling, and turning to the master.
