CHAPTER VIII
St. Cyprian's versus Templeton
It was now more than three weeks since Mildred and the other members ofthe literary syndicate had sent in their poetical effusions in praise oftea. So far they had heard nothing of the matter, and they werebeginning to grow anxious as to the fate of their verses.
"Perhaps it was just humbug," speculated Myrtle Robinson.
"Surely nobody would go to the expense of putting an advertisement inthe _Herald_ just for humbug!" objected Mildred.
"It may be a cheat, though," suggested Maggie Orton. "Suppose they useour poetry and never tell us?"
"If we saw it in print we'd prosecute them for breach of copyright!"
"I'm afraid it's all found its way into the waste-paper basket."
"That's more than likely."
Mildred had put her own address on the manuscripts as secretary of thesyndicate, and every day she looked hopefully at the letters which weredelivered at Meredith Terrace. One morning she arrived at school in astate of unusual excitement, and, rushing into the dressing-room,hailed her fellow poetesses.
"Oh jubilate! Just look here! This came only five minutes before Istarted. Isn't it ripping?"
"You don't mean to say we've won the prize?" gasped Maggie Orton.
"No--not the prize! But we've got something. Quite enough tocock-a-doodle about. Here, read what they say!"
A cluster of heads immediately collected over the letter. It was typed,and appeared strictly businesslike. It ran thus:--
"60 KING STREET, KIRKTON.
"DEAR MADAM,
"We are in receipt of your verses in respect of our competition for advertising our brand of tea. Though they do not attain the level of first prize offered, they are not bad on the whole, and we think we might be able to use them. We are therefore willing to give you L1, 5_s._ for the three, and would add a further 15_s._ for the Christmas-card verses and cracker mottoes, making L2 for the lot. We retain your verses pending your consideration of this offer, and will forward cheque and copyright agreement should you accept it.
"Yours faithfully,
"JONES & JACKSON, LTD."
The successful authoresses turned to one another with almost incredulousdelight, and broke into open rejoicings.
"Goody! How stunning!"
"What a frolicsome joke!"
"Accept it? Ra-ther!"
"Hi-cockalorum! We're in luck!"
"I never dreamt we'd really win anything."
"We shall have to sample this tea now. We praised it up enough!"
"Write to-day, Mildred, and say 'Done!'"
"Oh, we have scored!"
Mildred received the cheque by return of post, and as her uncle kindlycashed it for her at once, she brought two golden sovereigns to schoolto exhibit to her proud co-operators. The syndicate marched at once tothe Principal's study, and, after a brief explanation, handed over theamount for the College library. Miss Cartwright was very muchastonished, and laughed heartily as she tendered her congratulations.
"I didn't know we had so much talent at St. Cyprian's," she remarked."We must keep a copy of the verses. It is a very nice idea to devote themoney to the library, and I think you, who have gained it, ought to havethe choosing of the books."
"Oh, may we?" said the girls.
"Most certainly. Bring me a list of what you would like, and I willorder them from Bartholomew's."
The members of the syndicate felt themselves public benefactresses asthey consulted the rest of the Form upon the drawing up of the list.There was naturally plenty of discussion, but in the end a dozen volumeswere selected, and made quite a valuable addition to thenot-too-well-stocked library. The incident drew attention to thescantiness of the collection on the shelves, the monitresses took thematter up, and it was put to the vote and carried unanimously that infuture every girl, on leaving the College, should be asked to presenttwo books--one for the senior and one for the junior branch--as aparting gift to St. Cyprian's. By this method the number of volumeswould be annually increased; and though it was not compulsory, it wasthought that nobody would be likely to refuse to offer her contribution.
The Alliance had brought many new interests to the school, and now thatthe Eisteddfod was over, the pendulum of excitement swung round frommusic to games. It was the turn of the Athletic branch of the league,and a cricket match had been fixed for the following Saturday afternoonbetween St. Cyprian's and Templeton. It was to be held at Haselwell, asuburb a few miles out of Kirkton, where the county matches were alwaysplayed. The Alliance, of course, could not aspire to the county ground,but they were able to hire a very good pitch, which was often let outfor school matches, and which afforded plenty of accommodation forspectators, including a covered stand.
Naturally St. Cyprian's team had been doing its utmost in the way oftraining; and Joan Richards as captain, and Kitty Fletcher as chieforganizer of the Games department held many anxious consultations. Theycongratulated themselves that they had been drawn to play their firstmatch against Templeton, and not against either the High School or theMarston Grove School, both of which had acquired a well-justifiedreputation in the cricket field. Of Templeton's play they knew little.Like themselves, it had not before contested with other schools, andbeyond the fact (which Kitty had heard at the High School) that itscaptain, Marjorie Rawlins, was an excellent bowler, its points wereproblematical.
Joan was making her eleven concentrate its final energies on fielding,especially on catching and throwing in, which she regarded as half thebattle.
"Some girls muff the ball, and some throw it about twenty yards, and thenext fielder has to go for it while the other side's making runs," sheaffirmed. "I know you don't like fielding, but, if we want to score,we've got to practise it."
To Joan and Kitty, as "Athletics" delegates, the success or failure ofthis their first match meant much. The idea had got about at St.Cyprian's that the College was no good at games, and they were veryanxious to correct so mistaken a notion. Once establish a precedent, andthe girls would have more confidence, and be far more strenuous at theirpractices. They had never forgotten a certain rosy era of prowess underthe tuition of a former mistress, and if they could once more be broughtto the pitch of enthusiasm they had reached with Miss Pritchard, allwould surely be well for the future.
The Alliance, having taken the cricket pitch for the afternoon, issuedtickets of admission to any of its members who wished to go asspectators, and about sixty girls from St. Cyprian's availed themselvesof the opportunity, Mildred among the number. The match was to begin attwo o'clock, so after an early lunch they went by tram-car to the city,and caught the 1.25 train to Haselwell. Some of the girls had been therebefore to see county matches, and pointed out the famous ground, withits tiers upon tiers of wooden seats, the modern counterpart of anancient Roman circus. Their own pitch was not far away from the station,and turned out to be quite well kept and satisfactory. Mildred took herplace next to Maudie Stearne on one of the benches, and looked abouther. There was a good gathering of spectators, for not only had St.Cyprian's and Templeton girls come to watch, but a fair number from theother schools had also turned up.
"The Coll.'s on appro. to-day," said Maudie. "I hope we shan't disgraceourselves before all that set from the High School."
"Joan's in a flutter!" said Mildred.
"But Kitty's as cool as a cucumber. She might be going to play herlittle brothers in her own garden!"
"Good old Kit-cat! She'll do her level best, I know."
"Has Miss Harris come with Templeton?"
"No, I don't see her. I'm glad Miss Cartwright's here, though. One likesone's Principal to see one's first match."
"They're going to toss!" exclaimed Bess Harrison excitedly.
The two captains now came forward, exchanged a few civilities, and theorthodox penny went spinning into the air.
"Tails!" cried Marjorie Rawlins. "Tails it is! We'll bat!"
Joan lost no time in placing her field, and presently the two first batssallied forth from the pavilion, and St. Cyprian's scanned themnarrowly. One was short and squat, with an air of general strengthabout her, and used her bat as a walking-stick as she came; the other,tall and slim, carried her bat under her arm, and leisurely put on herbatting gloves as she walked up to the pitch.
"Gladys Fuller and Beryl Norton," volunteered Bess Harrison, who knewsomething of the Templeton strength.
Beryl was to take first ball, and seemed rather nervous as the umpiregave her her centre; then, glancing round to take a last look at theposition of the field, she prepared to face the bowling. Kitty was no"duffer" with the leather, having been assiduously coached by a criticalbrother who was in the Kirkton Grammar School eleven, and toleratedneither lobs nor half-volleys. A moderately long run with a swingingstep brought her to the wicket; with a high overhand action she sent theball down the pitch at a good pace. Luckily for Beryl it was off thewicket, as it beat her entirely. The next ball was dead straight, butBeryl was prepared for the pace this time, and played it respectfullyback to the bowler. In fact, she was evidently not out to take risks,and the first over proved a maiden.
Who was going to take the next over was in everyone's mind. The pointwas soon settled, for Joan rolled the ball gently in the direction ofDaisy Holt. Daisy's bowling was not quite orthodox according to modernideas: she bowled lobs, hence her pseudonym with the team of "Lobster".But she knew how to vary both her pace and pitch, so that her bowlingwas quite dangerous. Her first ball pitched a little to the onside andhad an artful break; but Gladys, to show her contempt for "underhand",swept round to leg, and missed it. She had failed to allow for thebreak, but, luckily for her, her skirts entangled the ball, and Daisy'sinstant appeal for l.b.w. was refused. Rendered wary by experience,Gladys played her next ball more carefully, and scored a single. Thisbrought Beryl to the other end. It is strange how a long course ofoverhand bowling induces contempt of lobs. Daisy's next ball was asplendid one--straight, swift, and of good length; but Beryl, who seemedto have lost all her caution, mis-timed the blind swipe she made at it,and the next moment was walking off rather crest-fallen towards thepavilion, amid uproarious applause from St. Cyprian's, and shouts of"Good old Lobster!"
Maggie Lowe, the next bat, was well known as a good player. She handledher bat with a freedom and precision which augured ill for loosebowling, and the first half-volley that Daisy sent down she promptlysent to the boundary. After this the score mounted slowly, runs comingin twos and singles, and both girls seemed to gain in confidence, andplayed more freely. Kitty had all this time been bowling well andkeeping a good length, though she had met with no luck as yet. Her turnwas soon to come, however. A swift rising ball slightly to the offtempted Gladys to her destruction, and away glanced the ball to longslip. But Jessie Hudson was ready, having profited by her training.Would she reach it? The whole field held its breath. She's got it! No!The ball rebounds from her hands, but she has it again before it reachesthe ground, thus bringing off a brilliant catch at the second time ofasking. Thirty one for two, last player fifteen, went up on theboard--not such a bad score after all! Templeton's captain, MarjorieRawlins, now came forth with a look of determination on her face. Sheplayed with extreme care at first, but soon seemed to get her eye in,and runs came more quickly. Forty went up, and then fifty, to a greatround of applause from Templeton. Joan now went on to bowl herself,instead of Daisy. She bowled a good medium-pace overhand, with a verytricky break from the off. Alas for Maggie Lowe! A well-pitched ball tothe off tempted her to step out, but she had misjudged the length andignored the break. The next moment her bails were flying, and shereturned to the pavilion amid hearty applause for a useful innings offourteen.
The next player was one of those happy-go-lucky, slashing hitters whoare always a great accession of strength to a team when their battingcomes off. She commenced hitting about her with great freedom, showingsmall respect for the bowling at either end. Fortunately for St.Cyprian's, Joan's careful training in fielding told its tale, and runscame less freely than might have been expected. Still, the score wasmounting up steadily, and Miss Slasher seemed to be greatly enjoyingherself when a really good catch at long-on put an end to her innings.
Sixty-seven for four now went up, and St. Cyprian's began to pull ratherlong faces, and wondered what Joan would do next. Joan had evidentlymade up her mind, for at the next over Edna Carson appeared at thewicket. St. Cyprian's took heart of grace, for Edna's bowling was verypeculiar. It was a sort of compromise between roundhand and underhand,and where she had learned it nobody knew. However, it was swift andstraight, kept very low, and was by no means easy to play, and, comingas it did after bowling which rose sharply from the pitch, it took thebatters quite by surprise. Her first ball was dead on the middle stump.Marjorie Rawlins, who appeared to be expecting a slow, struck too late,and the next moment Peggie Potter, the wicket-keeper, threw the ballgleefully in the air, while the umpire sedately walked up to replace thebails.
The next player was no more successful. She spooned an easy catch topoint, and was followed after a short interval by a fine strapping girlwho came striding up to the wicket like a boy.
"Janet Armstrong," remarked the knowing Bess Harrison; and at the verysight of her powerful form the fielders all moved outwards, not evenwaiting for the signals which Joan was so plentifully bestowing uponthem.
Janet took her block composedly, and waited with her bat slightlyraised. "Now," thought Edna "if I can only drop the ball just under thatbat, out goes the champion!" It was the third ball of the over, and St.Cyprian's maintain that it was the swiftest Edna had ever been known tobowl. Janet made a powerful stroke at it, apparently thinking it was ahalf-volley. But Edna's aim was true. She had sent down a deadly"yorker" which got under Janet's bat and spread-eagled her wicket.
"Well bowled! Well bowled!" shouted St. Cyprian's. "Why, she's done thehat trick!" and for several minutes delight and excitement reignedsupreme.
"You shall choose it at Liberty's!" cried Joan, oblivious in herenthusiasm of the depleted state of the club exchequer.
The next player was already taking her centre from the umpire beforeorder was restored. After this Templeton seemed to lose heart, theirbatting quite collapsed, and the innings closed for seventy-nine, two ofthe remaining three wickets falling to Joan, while Edna captured thelast by an amazingly swift full pitch.
The Templeton captain was not long in arranging her field, and Joan,after some delay caused by a prolonged search for batting gloves, sentin Kitty Fletcher and Clarice Mayfield to face the bowling of JanetArmstrong at one end, Marjorie Rawlins herself taking the ball at theother.
Things started none too well for St. Cyprian's. The bowling wasdecidedly difficult. Marjorie Rawlins's slow overhand twisters neededconstant watching, while Janet Armstrong was evidently trying all sheknew to get her own back again. She was showing very fine form, and hereasy, graceful style and capital pace and length struck St. Cyprian's atonce with admiration and dread. Kitty and Clarice were both steady bats,however, and faced the bowling with a courage which did them credit,though runs came very slowly, and it was not until the third over thatKitty managed to score a single off Janet. This brought Clarice to theother end, and the first ball she received, a lovely bailer, proved toomuch for her. Peggie Potter came in next, with instructions from Joanto "stonewall everything" and wear the bowling down. These shecommunicated to Kitty in a mysterious conclave between the wicketsbefore taking her centre, and both girls carried them out to the letter,playing a very careful and cautious game for several overs.
Kitty was by this time beginning to bat with more confidence andfreedom, when, in playing back to an awkward ball from Marjorie Rawlins,she managed to hit her own wicket. With two wickets down, the scorestill under ten, and the bowling what it was, things looked rather blackfor St. Cyprian's. The buzz of cheerful girlish chatter died down, and ataciturn gloom took its place. Joan herself was going in next. Would sheand Peggie m
anage to make a stand and wear down this terrible bowling?was the thought in each girl's mind as they saw her walk up to thewicket, take her centre, and prepare to receive her first ball fromMarjorie Rawlins. It was on the off side, and slightly overpitched, andJoan sent it straight to the boundary for three, amid rounds of applausefrom her delighted supporters. Over was now called, and Joan faced thebowling of Janet Armstrong. Having broken her duck, however, she wasbreathing more freely, and soon found that the bowling, though good andaccurate, was by no means unplayable. After a few overs of careful playshe began to get her eye in, and with Peggie stonewalling with doggedpersistence at the other end, and now and then making a single, thescore crept up, at first gradually, and then more rapidly, till twenty,thirty, and then forty appeared on the board. At this point a sad mishapbefell poor Peggie. She was getting so keen on backing up Joan's freeand frequent drives that she was tempted out of her ground before theball was actually delivered. Janet noticed this, and the next time itoccurred, instead of delivering the ball she turned round and put downthe wicket. Greatly disgusted with herself for having given her wicketaway in such a silly manner, Peggie walked back to the pavilion, where,to her great relief, instead of the chaff and upbraiding she expected,she received quite an ovation. For had not she and Joan made a greatstand at a critical point in the game, and saved a situation which mighteasily have led to a complete collapse?
Edna Carson, who went in next, obviously meant to continue Peggie'spolicy of keeping her end up and letting Joan do the scoring. Shestolidly blocked everything that came her way, to the great disgust ofJanet, who was evidently thirsting for her wicket, and was sending downsome astonishingly good balls. But with swift balls, even if onlyblocked, you can often steal a run, and as the Templeton fielding wasnot nearly so good as St. Cyprian's, Edna frequently managed to make asingle, and thus give Joan the opportunity of which she was not slow toavail herself. Gradually the score increased until fifty went up amidmuch rejoicing. At this point Edna, who had never seemed at her ease,though she had been batting freely for nearly half an hour, gave Janether revenge by returning an easy catch. Grace Ashworth was the next bat,but did not stay long, being clean bowled by Janet Armstrong; and asimilar fate befell Winifred Barbour, without adding to the score. Justas Sophy Manners, the next player, was coming out of the pavilion, Joanheard the neighbouring clock chime the first quarter. "A quarter-pastfour," she thought complacently, but moving a few paces from the pitch,she took a glance at the clock to make sure. To her horror and dismaythe hands pointed to a quarter-past five!
"Hit out for all you're worth!" she whispered to Sophy as she came up."Thirty to win, and only a quarter of an hour to make them in!"
Sophy, who was both bold and handy with the bat, and, as the girls alldeclared, "simply had no nerves", was nothing loath to take this advice,and for the next few minutes both she and Joan were scoring merrily.Sixty for six--that did not look so bad; but only nine minutes remained,and twenty runs were wanted to win. Joan glances uneasily at the clock,and hits out harder than ever.
But the bowlers still keep a good length, and runs are coming moreslowly; for Joan knows that if either of the present wickets falls shehas no one left to rely upon in an emergency like this, so she playswith more caution, only lashing out when opportunity offers. Seventygoes up, with only four minutes left! Sophy gets one round to leg forthree, and a moment later has one to the boundary for four. Three runswanted to win, and Joan has the bowling. She sends one to the on fortwo. Now for the winning hit, and only a minute to make it in! MarjorieRawlins artfully sends down the ball a trifle slower and shorter pitchedthan before. St. Cyprian's hold their breath. A moment later they aregasping in agony, for Joan has misjudged the ball, and up it goes likea rocket between cover-point and bowler.
Both girls make a dash for it, but realizing the imminence of acollision, each suddenly stops short, thinking it is the other's catch,and the ball drops harmlessly between them, just as Joan arrives at theother end with the run to her credit, and the match won for St.Cyprian's by four wickets.