now that I was grown up. I spoke to him about it after dinner.
I said, "Father, dear, you are going to take me to town this winter, aren't you?"
He shied. It is the only word to express it.
"Er—well, my dear—well, we'll see, we'll see."
Poor old father, he does hate London so. It always brings on his rheumatism or something, and he spends most of his time there, I believe, when he is really obliged to go up on business, mooning about Kensington Gardens, trying to make believe it's really the country. But there are times when one feels that other people's objections must give way. When a girl is pretty (I believe I am) and has nice frocks (I know I have), it is perfectly criminal not to let her go and show them in town. And I love dancing. I want to go to dances every night. And in Much Middlefold we have only the hunt ball, and perhaps, if we're lucky, two or three other dances. And you generally have to drive ten miles to them.
So I was firm.
I said, "Father, dear, why can't we settle it now, and then you could write and get a house in good time?"
He jibbed this time. He sat in his chair and said nothing.
"Will you, father?"
"But the expense"
"You can let the Manor."
"And the land; I ought to be looking after it."
"Oh, but the tenant man who takes the house will do that. Won't you write to-night, father, dear? I'll write if you'll tell me what to say. Then you needn't bother to move."
Here an idea seemed to strike him. I noticed with regret that his face brightened.
"I'll tell you what, my dear," he said; "we will make a bargain."
"Yes," I said. I knew something horrid was coming.
"If I make fifty in the match on Monday, we will celebrate the event by spending the winter in town, much as I shall dislike it. Those wet pavements always bring on my rheumatism; don't know why. Wet grass never does."
"And if you don't make fifty, father?"
"Why, then," he replied, cheerfully, "we'll stay at home and enjoy ourselves."
The match that was to be played on Monday was against Sir Edward Cave's team. Sir Edward was a nasty little man who had made a great deal of money somehow or other and been knighted for it. He always got together a house-party to play cricket, and it was our great match. Sir Edward was not popular in the county, but he took a great deal of trouble with the cricket, and everybody was glad to play in his park or watch their friends playing.
Father always played for Much Middlefold in this match. He had been very good in his time, and I heard once that, if only the captain had not had so many personal friends for whom he wanted places in the team, father would have played for Oxford against Cambridge in his last year. But, of course, he was getting a little old now for cricket, and the Castle Cave match was the only one in which he played.
He had made twenty-five last year against Sir Edward Cave's team, and everybody had said how well he played, so I thought he might easily do better this year and make double that score.
"And if you make fifty you really will take me to town? You'll promise faithfully?"
"Foi de gentilhomme! The word of a Romney, my dear Joan; and, mind, if I do not make fifty the subject must be dropped for the present year of grace. Next year the discussion may be re-opened; but for this winter there must be no further attempt at coaxing. You know that I am as clay in your hands, young woman, and you must not take an unfair advantage of my weakness."
I promised.
"And you really will try, father, to make fifty?"
"I can promise you that, my dear. It would take more than the thought of the horrors of London to make me get out on purpose."
So the thing was settled.
I went to see Bob about it before going to bed. Bob is a Freshman at Magdalen, so, naturally, he is much more conceited than any three men have any right to be. I suppress him when I can, but lately, in the excitement of putting my hair up, I had forgotten to give him much attention, and he had had a bad relapse.
I found him in the billiard-room with Mr. Garnet. He was sprawling over the table, trying to reach his ball without the rest, and looking ridiculous. I waited till he had made his stroke and missed the red ball, which he ought to have pocketed easily.
Then I said, "Bob!"
He said, "Well, what?"
I think he must have been losing, for he was in a very bad temper.
