"Oh, what a chap you are, Phra! If I didn't know what a straightforward one you were, I should think you were making fun. Can't you see this is not a fighting fight, but a fight in fun—to see who's to get the best of it?"
"So's a fighting fight," said Phra.
"Yes, but this is play. There ought to be a lot of fellows on each side, but I don't see why two can't have a game. I'm sure they'll get more kicking. Now we're going to play; I'm against you, and you're against me."
"I see; I'm against you, and you're against me. Well?"
"We begin out in the middle of a place, with the ball between us. I've got to kick it to the hedge on your side, and you've got to prevent me. You've got to kick it to the hedge on my side, and I've got to prevent you. That's easy enough to understand, isn't it?"
"Oh yes, I understand that; but I shan't play here."
"Why?"
"Because we're sure to fall out over it and fight, and I don't want our guards to see me and you fighting."
"Oh, we shouldn't be so stupid."
"I don't know whether it's stupid, but I know how you are when you get hurt a bit, Hal. No, I shan't play here."