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The general opinion of the school after this match was that either Mike or Bob would have to stand down from the team when it was definitely filled up, for Neville-Smith, by showing up well with the ball against the Incogniti when the others failed with the bat, made it practically certain that he would get one of the two vacancies.
"Thanks," said Neville-Smith, with a brilliant display of front teeth. "Feeling good?" "Not the word for it. I feel like I don't know what." "I'll tell you what you look like, if that's any good to you. That slight smile of yours will meet behind, if you don't look out, and then the top of your head'll come off." "I don't care. I've got my first, whatever happens.
At batting there was not much to choose between the two, but in fielding there was a great deal. Mike was good. Bob was bad. So out Bob had gone, and Neville-Smith, a fair fast bowler at all times and on his day dangerous, took his place. These clashings of public duty with private inclination are the drawbacks to the despotic position of captain of cricket at a public school.
"If he does well to-day, they'll probably keep him in." "Isn't there room for both of you?" "Such a lot of old colours. There are only three vacancies, and Henfrey got one of those a week ago. I expect they'll give one of the other two to a bowler, Neville-Smith, I should think, if he does well against Geddington. Then there'll be only the last place left." "Rather awkward, that."
"So will the glass with a run, I expect. Still, I'll try to do as little damage as possible. After all, I needn't throw a brick." "You will turn up, won't you?" "Nothing shall stop me." "Good man." As Wyatt was turning away, a sudden compunction seized upon Neville-Smith. He called him back. "I say, you don't think it's too risky, do you? I mean, you always are breaking out at night, aren't you?
But only because I shall be the only one to do it. If the whole school took Friday off, they couldn't do much. They couldn't sack the whole school." "By Jove, nor could they! I say!" They walked on, Neville-Smith's mind in a whirl, Wyatt whistling. "I say," said Neville-Smith after a pause. "It would be a bit of a rag." "Not bad." "Do you think the chaps would do it?"
Mike was not equal to the task of soothing Neville-Smith's wounded conscience. He did not attempt it. They walked on without further conversation till they reached Wain's gate, where Mike left him. Neville-Smith proceeded on his way, plunged in meditation. The result of which meditation was that Burgess got a second shock before the day was out.
Why, what's he been doing?" "Apparently he gave a sort of supper to celebrate his getting his first, and it was while coming back from that that Wyatt got collared. Well, I'm blowed if Neville-Smith doesn't toddle off to the Old Man after school to-day and tell him the whole yarn! Said it was all his fault. What rot! Sort of thing that might have happened to any one.
You don't happen to have got sacked or anything, by the way, do you?" "What's happened now?" "Neville-Smith. In extra on Saturday. That's all. Only our first- and second-change bowlers out of the team for the Ripton match in one day. I suppose by to-morrow half the others'll have gone, and we shall take the field on Saturday with a scratch side of kids from the Junior School." "Neville-Smith!
"If I do" he said to Wyatt, "there will be the biggest bust of modern times at my place. My pater is away for a holiday in Norway, and I'm alone, bar the servants. And I can square them. Will you come?" "Tea?" "Tea!" said Neville-Smith scornfully. "Well, what then?" "Don't you ever have feeds in the dorms. after lights-out in the houses?" "Used to when I was a kid. Too old now.
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