"But why?" said Henry.
"Because I want you all to see the wicket first. Then you can't say you weren't warned." Whereupon I went out and lost the toss.
As we walked into the field the editor told me a very funny story. I cannot repeat it here for various reasons. First, it has nothing to do with cricket; and, secondly, it is, I understand, coming out in his next number, and I should probably get into trouble. Also it is highly technical, and depends largely for its success upon adequate facial expression. But it amused me a good deal. Just as he got to the exciting part, Thompson came up.
"Do you mind if I go cover?" he asked.
"Do," I said abstractedly. "And what did the vicar say?"
The editor chuckled. "Well, you see, the vicar, knowing, of course, that——"
"Cover, I suppose," said Gerald, as he caught us up.
"What? Oh yes, please. The vicar did know, did he?"
"Oh, the vicar knew. That's really the whole point."
I shouted with laughter.