"Morris," exclaimed Mr. Merrifield, "you are short of a man in your match with the 'Reds' to-day, I believe?"
"We are, and I cannot find a substitute anywhere. Guess we shall have to play eight against nine."
"No indeed. The professor volunteers to fill the vacant place."
"Is that so?" replied Morris Hart. "I am real pleased to hear it, but—"
"What?"
"I don't want to disparage the professor's accomplishments. Yet I have always heard that the English did not understand our national game."
Mr. Mole smiled disdainfully.
"Child's play," he said.
"What is?"
"Base-ball."