ght Honor to the opposite wicket. Gertrude Humphreys's bowling was
more to her taste; it might be described as fast and loose, and Honor,
unlike most girls, did not object to swift bowling, having been
accustomed to it from Brian and Derrick. The first ball she received
came down at a good pace, but well on the off side of the wicket. This
was just the chance she had been waiting for, and a well-timed cut sent
it flying to the boundary for three. The rest of the over was
uneventful, Chatty having evidently made up her mind to be careful.
Winnie Sutcliffe now took up the bowling at the other end, but her
first ball, being a wide, served to increase the confidence that Honor
had felt in breaking her duck. The next ball, though straight on middle
stump, was a half-volley; Honor stepped out to it with a feeling of
exultation, and a moment later it was soaring over the bowler's head
for four.

"Good!" "Well hit, Honor!" "St. Chad's for ever!" "Hurrah!" ejaculated
the Chaddites.

Success like this often turns the batter's head, but Honor remembered
in time the many cautions she had received from her critical brothers,
and the next ball, being of good length, she played quietly to long off
for one. Chatty now received the bowling, and, encouraged by Honor's
success, made what the girls afterwards described as the finest leg hit
they had ever seen. Certainly it was a good stroke, taken quite clean
and square, and as it cleared the boards it was marked down six amid
rapturous applause. After that runs came more slowly for a time, and
neither girl appeared inclined to take any risks. This careful play,
however, began to wear down the bowling, especially Gertrude
Humphreys's, which became decidedly loose. Honor, seeing her chance,
suddenly began hitting about her with a spirit and vigour that almost
sent the Chaddites delirious with delight, while even Miss Young was
seen laughing and smiling with Miss Maitland in a manner that seemed to
imply no small self-congratulation on her choice for the last vacancy
in the team.

The Hilaryites were looking decidedly glum at this marked change in the
fortunes of the game. Grace Ward, their captain, at the end of the over
quietly rolled the ball to Ida Bellamy, famed for her slow "twisters".
Her first essay pitched well to the leg side, and Honor, who rather
despised "slows", made a mighty stroke at it, not allowing for the
break, and missed it altogether. With her heart in her mouth she