"How?"
"A young gentleman living in the house with his parents, whose name is Morris Hart, is captain of the Blue Stockings, and that club is going to play the Red Stockings a match to-day."
"Well?"
"The Blues are short of one out of their nine. You shall take the place of the missing man, if you like."
"I'll do it."
"Mind," said Mr. Merrifield, "you have said you are a good base-ball player."
"Did I say so?"
"Yes, and if you lose the match through your bad play, we shall blame you."
"I understand."
"Of course," Mr. Merrifield continued, "I am not reflecting on your veracity. I know very well that an Englishman never blows. It is only an American that brags about his country and says he can whip all creation."