wn a bit, and then suffered myself
to be led into the play-field to see what a splendid tent had been
raised, with its canvas back close up to the hedge which separated the
Doctor's grounds from the farm, with the intervening dry ditch, which
always seemed to be full of the biggest stinging nettles I ever saw.

It was a glorious morning, the turf was short and beautifully level, the
boys having joined hands the previous night to drag the great roller
well over it. But the sunshine, the blue sky, and the delicious green
of the hedges and trees were all nothing to me then, and I let Mercer
chatter on about the chances of the other side, which, as far as I was
concerned, promised to be excellent.

The breakfast-bell rang, and we went in, but that morning meal did not
fulfil Mercer's prophecy and carry off my ailment, for I could not touch
a bit.

"Oh, you are a fellow!" cried my comrade. "Well; perhaps you are right.
My father says it's best not to eat and drink when you have a bad
headache. But look sharp and get well; the chaps will be over in good
time."

By and by the news reached the captain of our eleven, and he came to me
all smiles and civility, for all Burr major's ideas of revenge seemed to
have died out, as I thought, because I never presumed upon my victory.

"Oh, I say, Burr junior," he cried, "this won't do! You must look sharp
and get well."

"I want to," I replied dolefully; "but I'm afraid I shan't be able to
play."

"But you must. If you don't, they'll be sure to beat us, and that would
be horrid."

"You mustn't let them beat you," I said, wishing all the while that he
would go, for my head throbbed more than ever, and varied it with a
sensation as of hot molten lead running round inside my forehead in a
way that was agonising.

"But what are we to do for a wicket-keeper?"

"You must take my place," I said feebly. "You are the best
wicket-keeper we have."

"No," he cried frankly, "you are; but I think I'm the best bowler."

"Well, you will be obliged to keep wicket to-day," I said, with a groan.
"I shall never be able to stir, I'm sure."

"Well, you do look precious mouldy," he cried. "It's a nuisance, and no
mistake. I suppose we must make shift, then?"

"Yes; let Dicksee and Hodson bowl all the time."

"And I can put Senna on now and then for an over or two."

"I can't bowl well enough," said Mercer.

"Oh yes, you can when you like," said Burr major. "And, I say," he
crie