The Viking's Wife (to husband, who is setting off to raid the coast of Britain). "Good-bye, Sigurd darling. Don't forget what I said about getting your feet wet. And, by the way, I'm greatly in need of a cook-general, if you happen to see one. But remember she must be capable and plain—not like the hussies you usually fetch."
A FOUL GAME.
It is Christmas, and here is a nice little cricket story for the hearth. The funny thing about it is that it is true. And the other funny thing about it is that it was told to me by a huge Rugger Blue called Eric. (I understand people can change their names at Confirmation. Why don't they?)
It was in a College match—not, I gather, a particularly serious one. Eric and his friend Charles were playing for Balbus College against Caramel College. Caramel had an "A" team out, and Balbus, I should think, must have had about a "K" team ... anyhow, Eric and Charles were both playing. Eric, as he modestly said, doesn't bat much, and Charles doesn't bowl much. Eric said to Charles, "I bet you a fiver you won't get six wickets." Charles said to Eric, "All right; and I bet you a fiver you won't get a hundred runs."
Then began a hideous series of intrigues. Caramel were to bat first, and Eric went to the Balbus captain and said, "There's a sovereign* for you if Charles doesn't go on to bowl at all."
* This is a pre-war story.
"Very well," said the captain, with a glance of sinister understanding. "Wouldn't have anyhow," he added as he pocketed the stake.
Then Charles arrived.