You might have seen practice going on any morning at half- past six in the Welchers' corner of the Big.

The other houses at first regarded it as a good joke, and the earliest practices of the new club were usually performed in the presence of a large and facetious audience, who appeared to derive infinite delight from every ball that was bowled and every run that was made.

But the Welchers were not to be snuffed out.

Riddell watched over the fortunes of the new club with most paternal interest, losing no opportunity of firing its enthusiasm, and throwing himself heart and soul into its work.

Indeed, as a cricketer the captain came out in quite a new light, which astonished even himself.
He had always taken for granted he was utterly incapable of any athletic achievement, but, with the steady practice now entailed upon him, it began to dawn, not only upon himself, but other people, that as a fielder--at slip or cover-slip--he was decidedly useful, while as a batsman he exhibited a certain style of his own that usually brought together a few runs for his side.
But even his own success was less than that of the club generally.
Every member of that small fraternity was intent on the glory of the club, and worked hammer and tongs to secure it.