only too glad to put them in. After all, the glory
of the school is the chief thing."

"Tucker and Silk will never practise," said Cusack. "I know _I_ would
if I'd got the chance."

"Well, I don't see why you shouldn't start the House Cricket Club this
year, at any rate," said Riddell.

"That's just what Tucker and Silk won't do. We wanted them to do it,
didn't we, Pil?"

"Rather!" said Pil; "and they told us to mind our own business."

"Suppose we start it ourselves?" suggested the captain; "I'm a Welcher
now, you know. I don't see why, because Tucker and Silk object, the
whole house should be done out of its cricket."

"No more do I," said Philpot.

"They'll kick up a jolly row with us, though," said Morgan.

"I don't think so," said Riddell. "At any rate, that's no reason why
there shouldn't be a club."

"All serene!" said Cusack, warming up to the notion, and quite
forgetting "Bouncer."

"I say, Riddell, couldn't we start it now?"

"Yes, certainly," said Riddell; "why not? I propose Cusack be the
secretary."

"Oh, I say!" cried that youth, blushing, half with pleasure and half
with embarrassment; "you'd better be that, Riddell."

"Oh, no," said Riddell, laughing, "I don't know the fellows so well as
you. If you were secretary, and Pilbury or Philpot treasurer, I'd be
president, or something of that sort, if you like."

The idea of the new club took like wildfire, and an enthusiastic
consultation followed. It was resolved to summon a meeting next day of
all who took an interest in the sport, and to arrange for a trial match
at once. Riddell went as warmly into the details as any one, and took
every opportunity of working up the patriotic spirit of his younger
companions.

"You know," said he, "I don't see at all why we shouldn't be able to get
together a team for the junior elevens if we practise hard."

"The nuisance is," said Cusack, "we're stopped an hour a day's play all
this term."

"What for?" inquired the captain.

The melancholy story of Mr Parrett and the sulphuretted hydrogen was
recounted.

"It's a pity," said he, gravely.

"I wonder if Paddy would mind giving us a licking instead," suggested
Pilbury, whose hands were of the horny kind.

Even the others whose palms were less seasoned seemed willing to fall in
with this alternative, but Riddell discouraged it.

"No," said he, "he's not likely to do that. But I tell you what I'll
do. I'll see him and Parrett and tell