Both played carefully at first, but soon getting the measure of the
bowling (which was not deep) began to hit out, and runs came quickly.
At fifty, Tibbit, understudying Henfrey as captain of the side,
summoned to his young friend Todby from short leg, and instructed him
to "have a go" at the top end.

It was here that Clephane courteously interfered. Substitutes, he
pointed out, were allowed, by the laws of cricket, only to field, not
to bowl. He must, therefore, request friend Todby to return to his
former sphere of utility, where, he added politely, he was a perfect
demon.

"But, blow it," said Master Tibbit, who (alas!) was addicted to the
use of strong language, "Royce and I can't bowl the whole blessed
time."

"You'll have to, I'm afraid," said Clephane with the kindly air of a
doctor soothing a refractory patient. "Of course, you can take a spell
at grubs whenever you like."

"Oh, darn!" said Master Tibbit.

Shortly afterwards Clephane made his century.

* * * * *

The match ended late on the following afternoon in a victory for
Shields' by nine wickets, and the scene at the School Shop when Royce
and Tibbit arrived to drown their sorrows and moisten their dry