Second A.B. Yes; the Ladies have been good friends of his, and now he'd bar them from the legitimate game. I fancy it's put their backs up a bit, eh?
First A.B. You bet! And it do seem ray-ther ongrateful like, don't it now? Though as fur as that goes I don't believe Cricket's a game for the petticoats.
Second A.B. Nor me neither. But bless yer they gets their foot in in everything now; tennis, and golf, and rowing and cetrer. And if you let 'em in at all, for your own pleasure, I don't quite see how you're going to draw the line arbitrary like just where it suits you, as the Grand Old Slogger seems to fancy.
First A.B. No; and, if you ask me, I say they won't stand it, even from him. "No," says they, "fair's fair," they says. "All very well to treat us like volunteer scouts at a country game, or at the nets, returning the balls whilst you slog and show off. But when we want to put on the gloves and pads, and take a hand at the bat in a businesslike way, you boggle, and hint that it's degrading, unsexing, and all that stuff."
Second A.B. Ah, that won't wash. If it unsexes 'em to bat, it unsexes 'em to scout. And if the old cricketing gang didn't want the Ladies between wickets, why, they shouldn't have let em into the field, I say. Strikes me Lady CARLISLE'll show 'em a thing or two. That "operative mandatory resolution" of hers means mischief—after the next big match anyhow. "Ladies wait, and wait a bit more, wait in truth till the day after to-morrow." Yes; but they won't wait for ever.
First A.B. Not they. Why, look yonder! There's one of 'em in full fig. Lady-Cricketer from cap to shoes—short skirt, knickers, belt, blouse, gloves, and all the rest of it. D'ye think that sort means volunteer scouting only? Not a bit of it. Mean playing the game, Sir, and having regular teams of their own.
Second A.B. Look at her! She's a speaking to the Grand Old Champion himself!
First A.B. Giving him a bit of her mind, you bet. What's that she's saying?
Second A.B. Why, that she admires his style immensely, and doesn't want to spoil his game; but that, after the next great All England Match, if not sooner, they mean to have a team of their own and go in for the game all round!
First A.B. Ah, what did I say?