, because he was so
altogether unlike his partner Grundle. He was a fine frank fellow,
and was Jack's great friend. "I don't mean to say that he can really
play cricket," Jack had said that morning, speaking with great
authority; "but he is the best fellow in the world, and will do
exactly what you ask him." But he was out now; and Jack, with over
200 still to make, declared that he gave up the battle almost as
lost.

"Don't say that, Mr Neverbend," whispered Eva.

"Ah yes; we're gone coons. Even your sympathy cannot bring us round
now. If anything could do it that would!"

"In my opinion," continued Eva, "Britannula will never be beaten as
long as Mr Neverbend is at the wicket."

"Sir Kennington has been too much for us, I fear," said Jack, with a
forced smile, as he retired.

There was now but the one hope left. Mr Brittlereed remained, but
he was all. Mr Brittlereed was a gentleman who had advanced nearer
to his Fixed Period than any other of the cricketers. He was nearly
thirty-five years of age, and was regarded by them all as quite an
old man. He was supposed to know all the rules of the game, and to
be rather quick in keeping the wicket. But Jack had declared that
morning that he could not hit a ball in a week of Sundays, "He
oughtn't to be here," Jack had whispered; "but you know how those
things are managed." I did not know how those things were managed,
but I was sorry that he should be there, as Jack did not seem to want
him.

Mr Brittlereed now went to his wicket, and was bound to receive the
first ball. This he did; made one run, whereas he might have made
two, and then had to begin the war over. It certainly seemed as
though he had done it on purpose. Jack in his passion broke the
handle of his spring-bat, and then had half-a-dozen brought to him in
order that he might choose another. "It was his favourite bat," said
his mother, and buried her face in her handkerchief.

I never understood how it was that Mr Brittlereed lived through that
over; but he did live, although he never once touched the ball. Then
it came to be Jack's turn, and he at once scored thirty-nine during
the over, leaving himself at the proper wicket for re-commencing
the operation. I think that this gave him new life. It added, at
any rate, new fire to every Britannulist on the ground, and I must
say that after that Mr Brittlereed managed the matter altogether to
Jack's satisfaction. Over after over Jack went on, and received e