l excitement cricket had decidedly languished at the school, and
the Rockshire match as well as the house matches were getting alarmingly
near.

However, on the first afternoon after Willoughby had returned to its
senses a general rush took place once more to the Big, and it was
evident during the week which followed that the fellows intended to make
up for lost time.

Nowhere was this activity more observed than in the newly-revived
Welchers' club, presided over by the captain, and enlivened by the
countenances of that ardent trio, Cusack, Pilbury, and Philpot.

During the week preceding the election they had worked with unabated
enthusiasm. You might have seen practice going on any morning at half-
past six in the Welchers' corner of the Big. The other houses at first
regarded it as a good joke, and the earliest practices of the new club
were usually performed in the presence of a large and facetious
audience, who appeared to derive infinite delight from every ball that
was bowled and every run that was made. But the Welchers were not to be
snuffed out. Riddell watched over the fortunes of the new club with
most paternal interest, losing no opportunity of firing its enthusiasm,
and throwing himself heart and soul into its work. Indeed, as a
cricketer the captain came out in quite a new light, which astonished
even himself.

He had always taken for granted he was utterly incapable of any athletic
achievement, but, with the steady practice now entailed upon him, it
began to dawn, not only upon himself, but other people, that as a
fielder--at slip or cover-slip--he was decidedly useful, while as a
batsman he exhibited a certain style of his own that usually brought
together a few runs for his side.

But even his own success was less than that of the club generally.
Every member of that small fraternity was intent on the glory of the
club, and worked hammer and tongs to secure it. Mr Parrett, kindly
jack-of-all-trades as he was, was easily persuaded by Riddell to come
down occasionally and bowl them a few balls, and give them a few hints
as to style generally. And every time he came down he was more
encouraging. Even Bloomfield and a few of the First Eleven magnates
thought it worth their while to saunter round once or twice and watch
the practice of this promising club.

It may be judged that, in proportion as the young Welchers found
themselves succeeding, their enthusiasm for their club and its president