My muse has other things to sing of besides rallies and charges, scrimmages and drop kicks, touch-downs and passings.

To me the game was chiefly interesting as it was interesting to Jim Halliday and Charlie Newcome; but as during the first part of the match both these worthies were what they would call "out of it"-- that is, on outpost duty--I found the company I was in better worth studying than the ups and downs of the football.
When the game first began the two good people gazed in silent astonishment.

It always takes some time to understand the humour of a football-match from outside, and Jim's uncle and aunt consequently for a time could make nothing out of the constant succession of charges and scrimmages of which they were witnesses.

Presently, however, with the aid of their own observation and the remarks of people around them, they came to appreciate the sport better, and grew proportionately interested.

After a time the interest grew to excitement and excitement found relief in speech.
"There's that little red-haired fellow got it again!" exclaimed the aunt; "see how he runs!" "Wait a bit!" cried the uncle; "that fellow there will catch him--no, he hasn't--just look at him; there's smartness for you! Ah! he's down!" "But another of the blues has got the ball!" cried the aunt, starting on tiptoe.