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Page 69
There seemed only one opening for him. What could he do, he asked
himself. Just one thing. He could play cricket. It was by his cricket
that he must live. He would have to become a professional. Could he get
taken on? That was the question. It was impossible that he should play
for his own county on his residential qualification. He could not
appear as a professional in the same team in which his brothers were
playing as amateurs. He must stake all on his birth qualification for
Surrey.
On the other hand, had he the credentials which Surrey would want? He
had a school reputation. But was that enough? He could not help feeling
that it might not be.
Thinking it over more tensely than he had ever thought over anything in
his whole life, he saw clearly that everything depended on what sort of
show he made in this match which was now in progress. It was his big
chance. If he succeeded, all would be well. He did not care to think
what his position would be if he did not succeed.
A distant appeal and a sound of clapping from the crowd broke in on his
thoughts. Mills was out, caught at the wicket. The telegraph-board gave
the total as forty-eight. Not sensational. The success of the team
depended largely on what sort of a start the two professionals made.
The clapping broke out again as Joe made his way down the steps. Joe,
as an All England player, was a favourite with the crowd.
Mike watched him play an over in his strong, graceful style: then it
suddenly occurred to him that he would like to know how matters had
gone at the bank in his absence.
He went down to the telephone, rang up the bank, and asked for Psmith.
Presently the familiar voice made itself heard.
'Hullo, Smith.'
'Hullo. Is that Comrade Jackson? How are things progressing?'
'Fairly well. We're in first. We've lost one wicket, and the fifty's
just up. I say, what's happened at the bank?'
'I broke the news to Comrade Gregory. A charming personality. I feel
that we shall be friends.'
'Was he sick?'
'In a measure, yes. Indeed, I may say he practically foamed at the
mouth. I explained the situation, but he was not to be appeased. He
jerked me into the presence of Comrade Bickersdyke, with whom I had a
brief but entertaining chat. He had not a great deal to say, but he
listened attentively to my narrative, and eventually told me off to
take your place in the Fixed Deposits. That melancholy task I am now
performing to the best of my ability. I find the work a little trying.
There is too much ledger-lugging to be done for my simple tastes. I
have been hauling ledgers from the safe all the morning. The cry is
beginning to go round, "Psmith is willing, but can his physique stand
the strain?" In the excitement of the moment just now I dropped a
somewhat massive tome on to Comrade Gregory's foot, unfortunately, I
understand, the foot in which he has of late been suffering twinges of
gout. I passed the thing off with ready tact, but I cannot deny that
there was a certain temporary coolness, which, indeed, is not yet past.
These things, Comrade Jackson, are the whirlpools in the quiet stream
of commercial life.'
'Have I got the sack?'
'No official pronouncement has been made to me as yet on the subject,
but I think I should advise you, if you are offered another job in the
course of the day, to accept it. I cannot say that you are precisely
the pet of the management just at present. However, I have ideas for
your future, which I will divulge when we meet. I propose to slide
coyly from the office at about four o'clock. I am meeting my father at
that hour. We shall come straight on to Lord's.'
'Right ho,' said Mike. 'I'll be looking out for you.'
'Is there any little message I can give Comrade Gregory from you?'
'You can give him my love, if you like.'
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