only one more over before lunch, especially if Mr. Rutter was really going to lie up afterwards.
So this was what happened—it may have been the very soundest verdict—but as the climax of a great performance it was not altogether satisfactory. Whitfield major, the last batsman, who really might have gone in earlier, clubbed the first ball of Jan's last over for three. The next ball may or may not have been on the off-stump. It appeared to come from a tired arm, to lack the sting of previous deliveries, to be rather a slower ball and as such just short of a really good length. But A. G. Swallow, still notoriously nimble on his feet, came out to hit across a straight half-volley on the strength of the usual break. He missed the ball, and it hit his pad; but there was no appeal from the bowler. That was the great point against George Grimwood. Jan was giving his cap another tug over his nose, when consequential Evan appealed for him from mid-off.
"Out!" roared the redoubtable George without an instant's hesitation. The Old Boys' second innings had closed for 133. Jan had taken 9 wickets for 41 runs. And A. G. Swallow was last out for 57—if out at all—and his eagle eye was clouded with his own opinion on the point.
The school was already streaming off the ground on its way back to dinner in the houses; but many remained, and some turned back, to give batsman and bowler the reception they deserved. More articulate praises pursued them to the dressing-room. These ran like water off Jan's back as he sat stolidly changing his shoes; for in those days the players dispersed to luncheon in the houses also. He explained his apparent ungraciousness by some further mention of "a splitting head." But as a matter of fact he had every one of his wits about him, and his most immediate anxiety was to avoid Evan, whom he saw
