“Well, just now they’re full of base-ball. The boys do the hard work, out in the sun, and the girls make caps and badges for them and watch them play. There’s a club in each town, I’m told.”
“How nice!” exclaimed Bess. “I do so like to see real exciting games!”
“Don’t you believe we could drive over sometime, Uncle?” asked Kittie.
“Yes indeed, yes indeed; take you over to-morrow if you like—or send you with Ruel.”
“They’d be glad enough to git the boys to play with ’em,” remarked Ruel, chiming in as his name was spoken. “They always think city boys must know how, because they’ve seen the big clubs.”
“HE WAS OFTEN AWAY FROM THE HOUSE, ALONE.”
It might as well be added right here that the boys did go over to Readville, though not on the following day; and the village club were so well pleased with their playing, that they invited the new-comers to join their nine, during vacation, and to take part in any matches that might occur. Randolph, indeed, so gained in favor by his pleasant ways and cool head that he was regularly elected Captain. Tom did well, too, being a more graceful player than his cousin, but not so reliable in an emergency. All this I have mentioned, to explain how the great Match Game came about, of which we shall hear before long.
Meanwhile the ride to the railroad progressed pleasantly. An excursion to Bessie’s mountain (where she had lighted the birch-tree torch during the thunder-storm) was planned in all its details.
“Pet will soon be rested,” said Kittie in gleeful tones, “and then we’ll have our picnic. Ruel, you must take plenty of matches, and your axe.”