Page:Cricket, by WG Grace.djvu/99

 on the way to our rooms in the early morning, after an enjoyable dance; and being more in the mood for chatting than sleep, we, with one exception, decided to spend an hour or two longer comparing reminiscences. The "exception" had commenced his innings that day, and was not out when play stopped.

"You can do what you like," said he; "but I'm off to bed, as I mean to make a hundred to-morrow."

I forget how long we sat up certainly later than we should have done in the beginning of the season, but next day every one of us scored largely; while our friend was out first over, without adding to his overnight's score! I sincerely hope young players will not follow our example, though it was not attended with disastrous results.

I have assumed that what I have been saying about my family and home, and early training, my readers would equally apply to the training of my youngest brother, Fred. He was just as enthusiastic as any of us, and practised as diligently at home as E. M. or I did, though he lacked some of our opportunities. My brothers Henry and Alfred had married, and were living some miles away from Downend, when he was old enough to begin; and E. M. was very much away. Fred had to fall back upon the services of the boot-boy and nursemaid, and he kept them busy bowling to him all day long. My mother looked after his progress, and saw that he had every encouragement to improve, and he showed promise of excellence at quite as early an age as I did. I remember we had some difficulty in getting him out of the habit of practising left-handed. He was strong for his age, and played with a determination worthy of a much older boy. School training brought him forward rapidly, and before he had completed his tenth year he had played his first match and distinguished himself as a bowler locally, clean bowling ten