Fluff's brother bowled slows of a good length, with an awkward break from the off to the leg.
"Teasers," said the Caterpillar, critically. "Hullo! No, my young friend, that may do well enough in Shropshire, not here."
A ball breaking sharply from the off had struck the batsman's pad; he had stepped in front of his wicket to cut it. Country umpires are often beguiled by bowlers into giving wrong decisions in such cases; not so your London expert. Cosmo Kinloch appealed—in vain.
"He'll send a short one down now," said John. "You see."
And, sure enough, a long hop came to the off, curling inwards after it pitched. The Eton captain had nearly all his men on the off side. The Harrovian pulled the ball right round to the boundary.
"Well hit!"
"Well pulled!"
"Two 4's; that's a good beginning," said the Duffer.
A couple of singles followed, and then the first "10" went up amid cheers.
"Here's my governor," said the Duffer. "He was three years in the Eleven and Captain his last term."