A GENTLE EGOTIST.
"INNINGS DECLARED CLOSED."
SCENE—Grounds of the St. Stephen's C.C. SALISBURY (Captain) and BALFOUR (Champion Bat) at Wickets. The latter has just despatched the ball to the boundary for "another four," eliciting "applause all round the ring," as the (Cricket) saying is.
Captain. Well hit, my dear ARTHUR!
Champion Bat (modestly). Ah! bit of a fluke.
Captain. Come, come! Cricket swagger may merit rebuke,
But take your fair kudos; don't run yourself down.
Wicket-Keeper (aside). Bah! that's his old trick. At the ball he will frown,
And fumble the bat as though funk, or don't care,