Louis' School Days Part 27

Before Hamilton could answer, Frank Digby, one of the large audience alluded to, came up. "Of course," he replied; "Hamilton is one of our party."

"One of your party?" asked Hamilton.

"Your majesty's oblivious of the fact," said Frank, "that among the many offices, honorary and distinctive, held by your most gracious self, the presidency of the 'Ashfield Cricket Club' is not altogether one of the most insignificant."

"We will thank our faithful amanuensis to become our deputy this afternoon," said Hamilton; "having a great desire to refresh ourself with a quiet discourse on the beauties of Nature."

"No cricket this afternoon, Hamilton!" cried Louis; "I shall be so much disappointed if you go!"

"_No cricket!_" exclaimed Frank: "we will enter into a conspiracy, and dethrone Edward, if he refuses to come _instanter_."

"Dethrone me by all means, this afternoon," said Hamilton; "my deposition will save me a great deal of trouble. I am only afraid that my freedom from state affairs would be of short duration; my subjects appear to be able to do so little without me."

"Hear him!" exclaimed Jones, laughing; "hear king Log!"

"No favoritism!" cried Smith; "I bar all partiality. We'll treat you in the Gaveston fashion, Louis, if you don't persuade your master to accede to our reasonable demands."

"That would be treason against my own comforts," said Louis, laughing, and struggling unsuccessfully to rise from the ground, where he had been playfully thrown by Salisbury. "To the rescue! your majesty; I cry help!"

"To the rescue!" shouted Reginald, pouncing suddenly upon Salisbury, and diverting his attention from Louis who would have recovered his feet, but for the intervention of one or two of the party.

"Your majesty perceives," said Frank, "that a rebellion is already broken out. A word from you may compose all."

"I have engaged to walk with Louis Mortimer, and I declare I will not stir anywhere without him," said Hamilton.

"We cannot do without you, Hamilton," said Trevannion, who had just joined the council. "You are engaged for all the meetings."

"Which meetings have no right to be convened without the concurrence of the president;--eh, Mr. Secretary?" rejoined Hamilton.

"Of course you can please yourself," said Trevannion, proudly.

"Let Louis get up, Jones," said Hamilton.

"Does your majesty concede, or not?" said Jones, who was sitting upon Louis.

"I will answer when you let him get up."

Jones suffered Louis to rise, breathless and hot with his laughing exertions to free himself from durance vile.

"I will come, on condition that Louis comes too."

"Certainly," said Salisbury.

"And join our game, mind," said Hamilton.

"Oh!" exclaimed Smith; "that's decidedly another affair. You can't play, Sir Piers, can you?"

"He can learn," said Hamilton, who was perfectly aware of his ignorance.

"I've not the smallest objection," said Jones, "as I'm on the opposition side."

"Nor I," cried Salisbury; "though I should be a loser, as is probable."

"Really, Hamilton," exclaimed Trevannion, sulkily, "it's impossible!

He'll only be in the way. I never saw such a fuss about a boy; it's quite absurd. If you want him, let him look on."

"I don't like cricket," said Louis.

"Humbug!" exclaimed Salisbury.

"I shall be in the way, as Trevannion says," continued Louis; "I am sure I shall never learn."

"'_Patientia et perseverantia omnia vinc.u.n.t_,'" remarked Frank; "which may be freely translated in three ways:

'If a weary task you find it, Persevere, and never mind it;'

or,

'Never say die;'

or, thirdly,

'If at first you don't succeed,--try, try again,'"

"Louisa, I am ashamed for you," said Hamilton; "and insist on the exhibition of a more becoming spirit."

"That's right, Hamilton," cried Reginald; "make him learn."

Louis pleaded as much as he dared, in dread of a few thumps, friendly in intent, but vigorous in execution, from Salisbury, and a second shaking from Hamilton, but all in vain, and they sallied forth. Trevannion fastened on Hamilton, and grumbled ineffectual remonstrances till they reached a convenient spot for their game. Here, under the active supervision of Hamilton, Salisbury, and Reginald, Louis was duly initiated; and after a couple of hours' play they returned home, Louis being in some doubt as to whether his fingers were not all broken by the concussion of a cricket-ball, but otherwise more favorably disposed towards the game than heretofore. He was, likewise, not a little gratified by the evident interest most of the players took in his progress. Hamilton had entirely devoted himself to his instruction, encouraged him when he made an effort, and laughed at his cowardliness, and Salisbury had been scarcely less kind.

As they entered the playground, Salisbury held up a silver pencil-case to Frank:

"Remember, Frank," said he, warningly.

"Do you think I've forgotten?" said Frank; "my memory's not quite so treacherous, Mr. Salisbury."

"What's that, Salisbury?" said Jones.

"Only my wager."

"Wager!" repeated Hamilton. "What absurdity is Frank about to perpetrate now?"

"He is going to make Ca.s.son swallow some medicine of his own concoction. My pencil-case against his purse, contents and all, he isn't able to do it. Ca.s.son's too sharp."

"I am surprised," said Hamilton, "that Frank is not above playing tricks on that low boy. I thought you had had enough of it, Frank."

Frank laughed;--"No, he has foiled me regularly twice lately, and I am determined to pay him off for shamming this afternoon."

"I think it is real," said Louis.