So evening after evening I bowled to Radley, who coached me enthusiastically.  I think that he was making a fascinating hobby of training his favourite pupil for the Team, much as an owner delights in running a favourite horse for the Derby.  And, when one evening I uprooted his leg-stump twice in succession, he said: 

“Good.  Now we shall see what we shall see.”

In the meantime Lancaster had buttonholed Doe.

“You used to be a great cricketer, usedn’t you?”

“When I was a boy, Honion,” said Doe.

“And you’ve slacked abominably.”

“Thou sayest so, Honion.”

“Well, my son, the last place in the Team is vacant.  You should be too good for the Second.  Practise like fury, and the situation’s yours.”

Sec.2

“What do you think, Doe?” said I.  “Radley’s making me sweat to get into the Team.”

A momentary pain and jealousy overspread Doe’s face.  Quickly passing, it gave place to a whimsical glance, as he rejoined: 

“What do you think?  Honion’s doing the same with me.”

“Look here, then,” said I, as much despairingly as generously, “I’ll stand down.  You’ll be fifty times better than I shall.”

“You won’t do anything of the sort.  Don’t you see Radley’s running you as a candidate to spite me?  No, we’ll fight this out, you and I. Shake on it, and good luck to your candidature!”

“You ripping old tragedy hero!” answered I.  “Good luck to yours.”

Now, all Kensingtowe amused itself speculating who would be the last man.  Many names were mentioned, but Ray was not one of them.  Bets were made, and the odds were slightly in favour of Doe.  The sentiment of the school said that he ought to be played on the strength of the brilliant things he might do.

The match drew nearer, and the secret as to the last man was severely kept, if, indeed, any decision had been come to.  But Doe was establishing himself as favourite.  Every day a crowd surrounded the Second Eleven net, where he, with his face suffused in colour and his hair glistening with moisture, was striving to create the necessary impression.  Honion, as general, surrounded by his staff-officers in their caps and colours, sometimes stood by the net and pulled his chin contemplatively.  And, if Doe made a fine off-drive, all the onlookers (and Doe himself) turned and glanced at Honion, as though for a sign from Heaven.  But the great man’s face betrayed no emotion.

On the day before the match, which was to be a one-day game, Honion might have been seen crossing the field from the pavilion, where a council of war had just concluded.  He was approaching the school-buildings, and, like the Pied Piper, had an enormous crowd of small boys at his back.  In his hand was the paper which bore the list of the Team.

“Who is it?  Who is it?” demanded the crowd.