“Oh, hell, I wish you hadn’t come up,” he said. “I hate your being there when I make a fool of myself.”
“Remedy lies with you,” said Jim. “Don’t do it.”
“Can’t help it; my eye’s all wobbly. Why the deuce didn’t you let me go to bed in decent time last night?”
“Go on, say anything you like if it makes you feel better,” said Jim.
“It doesn’t, it makes me feel worse. Hell, there’s Tobin out.”
“Buck up, Birds,” said his friend.
Birds waited till the dejected batsman had entered the pavilion, put his cap on the seat, and took up his bat.
“Soon be back,” he observed morosely.
“No you won’t. I shan’t see you again till lunch.”
“Oh,” said Birds, with a wealth of incredulity in his voice.