From that time on followed the most wonderful exhibition of tennis playing that any person present had ever seen. And further, hopping on one foot was not the only remarkable thing about Disbrow’s playing.
“He hopth jutht like a jack rabbit,” cried Tommy. “I believe I could do that, too. Harriet, that ith the trouble with our playing—we don’t hop. I’ll know what to do the next time we play tennith. Then I’ll thurely win.”
“You will hop on your head if you try it,” warned Sam.
The game came to a close, to the regret of all except the players opposed to the champion. As for them, they had had enough of it. They were not anxious to play another game.
Excitement ran high. The girls wanted to shout with all their lung power. Tommy did, giving unrestrained vent to her emotions. The camp of the Meadow-Brook Girls was vibrant with enthusiasm. They were eager to be at a game of their own.
“I can hardly hold myself, I am so eager to play,” declared Harriet, eyes and cheeks glowing.
“Now, give heed to what I say,” requested Disbrow, with a shake of the head. “I will first teach you the strokes. There are five strokes on which are built the whole structure of modern tennis playing, viz., the service stroke, the horizontal ground stroke, the volley, the half-volley and the lob. There are, of course, variations of these, such as the drop-stroke, the side-stroke and the cut—or chop—all of which you will take up in their regular order, learning one thoroughly, then going on to the next. Two of you take your places in the court and practise the service.”
Harriet and Tommy did so, Jane and Hazel being told to listen and observe closely, as their turn would follow.
“The service—that is, putting the ball into play—should be an overhand delivery, almost straight, with a slight cut to the right to keep the ball from sailing in the air,” continued Disbrow. “Reach up high, rising on the left toe, bringing the ball sharply down into the opponent’s court. Now we shall practise the service for a time until your wrists grow tired. And right here let me suggest that when the racquet is not in action it is a good idea to rest it across the left hand, which relieves the right wrist wonderfully. Boys, please get into the other court and return the balls. We shan’t have time to chase them.”
Harriet and Tommy made their first service, but Harriet put so much force into the ball that it rolled out of the other court.