The bowling was shared by the Vicar and the policeman, the former with lobs, the latter with a delivery so frankly illegal that Pip, gazing open-mouthed at the bowler, made no attempt to play the first ball he received, and was nearly bowled.
"Rather a doubtful delivery that, isn't it?" he remarked to the umpire at the end of the over.
"No possible doubt about it whatever, sir," said the grizzled ground-man decisively.
"You mean to say he doesn't throw?"
"I mean to say he does throw, sir."
"Then why don't you take him off?"
"Take him off, sir?" The veteran smiled indulgently in the direction of the bowler. "Lor' bless you! Now, why, sir? 'E ain't doin' no 'arm."
Pip could not but agree with the undeniable correctness of this pronouncement, which was shortly afterwards endorsed by th
