xi LADY MAUD'S WALK 199 



merit ; at least it did not appear in my 

 score, and I have no doubt that ethically 

 they were right in calling it a bye, and so 

 do not complain. We were beaten, which 

 I regret, though as a mere substitute I do 

 not feel that the responsibility is mine. One 

 of our umpires was accused of umpiring for 

 his side, which produced a lengthy and 

 heated discussion in the field. Much testi- 

 mony was borne and great irony brought to 

 bear on the situation, and the heart of the 

 opposing captain was moved within him 

 that he spake, " Well, if you want the 

 game, we'll give it you now." Thereafter 

 he retired to the deep field and took no 

 further interest in the proceedings for fully 

 half an hour. Nevertheless he returned in 

 time to bowl me out, which was incon- 

 sistent of him, as his side was winning all 

 along. When a man acts the part of 

 Achilles he ought to do it thoroughly. 



I wonder why it is that one's temper is 

 so much more uncertain when one is engaged 

 in amusement than when one is occupied 

 with the affairs of life. I once knew a man 

 who was universally beloved and respected 

 until in an evil hour he was persuaded to 



