“Why, Grace,” demanded the General Public eagerly, “what in thunder are you playing at?”
“There’s no declaration law in the Rectory rules,” said Grace. “So a side can’t declare its innings, don’t you see?”
“Been inadvertently omitted,” said Charlie.
“But what did you want to declare for?” said T. S. M. “You hadn’t won.”
“Yes, tell us why you wanted to declare,” said Toddles, with his wickedest expression.
Perhaps it was the sun that made Grace so hot and red; but, be that as it may, the fact must be put in history.
“’Cause I did,” said Grace.
“A feminine reason, I fear,” said the Rector.
“Well, I think it’s something like this,” said I, with rather more valour than discretion: “there must be lots of times, don’t you know, when a girl would like to declare, and she can’t declare, because, according to the laws of the game, there’s no rule whereby she can declare. You see it, don’t you?”
“Clear as mud,” said Charlie. “She can declare when she can’t declare, and she—— Say it again, old chap. Certain to get the hang of it before the end of the season.”