I say, isn't it prime, Riddell?
I tell you, I shall stand on my head if I get into the team." Riddell had only partially heard this jubilant speech, for at that moment Tom the boat-boy was more in his thoughts even than Wyndham the Limpet.

However, he had heard enough to gather from it that his young _protege_ was in a vast state of joy and content, and as usual he was ready with any amount of sympathy.
"It will be splendid if you do get in," said he.
"Yes.

They've only got eight places actually fixed, I hear, so I've three chances.

I say, Riddell, I like Bloomfield, do you know?
I think he's an awfully good captain." Riddell could not help smiling at this artless outburst from the young candidate for cricket honours, and replied, "I like him too, for he came and watched our practice too, here at Welch's." "Did he bowl you any balls ?" demanded Wyndham.
"No, happily," said Riddell; "but some one told me he told somebody else that I might possibly squeeze into the eleven against Rockshire if I practised hard." "What!" exclaimed Wyndham, in most uncomplimentary astonishment.

"_You_ in the first eleven! I say, it must be a mistake." "I'm afraid they'll think it a mistake," said Riddell, laughing; "but I certainly have heard something of the sort." "Why, you usen't to play at all in our house," said Wyndham.
"No more I did; but since I came here I've been going in for it rather more, though I never dreamt of such rapid promotion." "Well," said Wyndham, quite patronisingly, "I'm jolly glad to hear it; but I wish you were in the schoolhouse instead of Welch's.