It reconciled Rupert to me too, which was my greatest gain.

Rupert is quite right. There is nothing like being prepared for
emergencies. I suppose, as I was stunned, that Johnson got the best of
it; but judging from his appearance as we washed ourselves at the
school pump, I was now quite prepared for the emergency of having to
defend myself against any boy not twice my own size.




CHAPTER III.

SCHOOL CRICKET--LEMON-KALI--THE BOYS' BRIDGE--AN UNEXPECTED EMERGENCY.


Rupert and I were now the best of good friends again. I cared more for
his favour than for the goodwill of any one else, and kept as much
with him as I could.

I played cricket with him in the school matches. At least I did not
bat or bowl, but I and some of the junior fellows "fielded out," and
when Rupert was waiting for the ball, I would have given my life to
catch quickly and throw deftly. I used to think no one ever looked so
handsome as he did in his orange-coloured shirt, white flannel
trousers, and the cap which Henrietta made him. He and I had spent all
our savings on that new shirt, for Mother would not get him a new one.
She did not like cricket, or anything at which people could hurt
themselves. But Johnson Major had get a new sky-blue shirt and cap,
and we did not like Rupert to be outdone by him, for Johnson's father