Philbrick appeared in an overcoat and a bowler hat.
'Miss Fagan says she's very sorry, but she's burnt the hurdles and the jumping posts for firewood. She thinks she can hire some in Llandudno for to‑morrow. The Doctor says you must do the best you can till then. I've got to help the gardeners put up the blasted tent.
'I think that, if anything, sports are rather worse than concerts, said Mr Prendergast. 'They at least happen indoors. Oh dear! oh dear! How wet I am getting. I should have got my boots mended if I'd known this was going to happen.
'Please, sir, said Beste‑Chetwynde, 'we're all getting rather cold. Can we start?
'Yes, I suppose so, said Paul. 'What do you want to do?
'Well, we ought to divide up into heats and then run a race.
'All right! Get into four groups.
This took some time. They tried to induce Mr Prendergast to run too.
'The first race will be a mile. Prendy, will you look after them? I want to see if Philbrick and I can fix up anything for the jumping.
'But what am I to do? said Mr Prendergast.