of Mr. Porson, that he could trust to him during the school hours,
and Ned would be an active protector in the playground.

It was not until a fortnight after the school began that the Four
Acre Field was ready. By that time a flock of sheep had been turned
into it, and had eaten the grass smooth, and a heavy horse roller
had been at work for a day making a level pitch in the center.

It was a Saturday afternoon when the boys took possession of it for
the first time. As they were about to start in the highest glee,
Mr. Porson joined them. Some of their faces fell a little; but he
said cheerfully:

"Now, boys, I am going with you; but not, you know, to look after
you or keep you in order. I want you all to enjoy yourselves just in
your own way, and I mean to enjoy myself too. I have been a pretty
good cricketer in my time, and played in the York Eleven against
Leeds, so I may be able to coach you up a little, and I hope after
a bit we may be able to challenge some of the village elevens round
here. I am afraid Marsden will be too good for us for some time;
still, we shall see."

On reaching the field Mr. Porson saw the ground measured and the
wickets erected, and then said:

"Now I propose we begin with a match. There are enough of us to
make more than two elevens; but there are the other games. Would
any of the bigger boys like to play quoits better than cricket?"

Mather, who felt much aggrieved at the master's presence, said he