Chapter 16 . IN THE TENNIS-COURT Athletic sports were in high favour at Plumfield ; and the river where the old punt used to wabble about with a cargo of small boys , or echo to the shrill screams of little girls trying to get lilies , now was alive with boats of all kinds , from the slender wherry to the trim pleasure-craft , gay with cushions , awnings , and fluttering pennons . Everyone rowed , and the girls as well as the youths had their races , and developed their muscles in the most scientific manner . The large , level meadow near the old willow was now the college playground , and here baseball battles raged with fury , varied by football , leaping , and kindred sports fitted to split the fingers , break the ribs , and strain the backs of the too ambitious participants . The gentler pastimes of the damsels were at a safe distance from this Champ de Mars ; croquet mallets clicked under the elms that fringed the field , rackets rose and fell energetically in several tennis-courts , and gates of different heights were handy to practise the graceful bound by which every girl expected to save her life some day when the mad bull , which was always coming but never seemed to arrive , should be bellowing at her heels . One of these tennis grounds was called ` Jo 's Court ' , and here the little lady ruled like a queen ; for she was fond of the game , and being bent on developing her small self to the highest degree of perfection , she was to be found at every leisure moment with some victim hard at it . On a certain pleasant Saturday afternoon she had been playing with Bess and beating her ; for , though more graceful , the Princess was less active than her cousin , and cultivated her roses by quieter methods . ` Oh dear ! you are tired , and every blessed boy is at that stupid baseball match . ` What shall I do ? ' sighed Josie , pushing back the great red hat she wore , and gazing sadly round her for more worlds to conquer . ` I 'll play presently , when I 'm a little cooler . But it is dull work for me , as I never win , ' answered Bess , fanning herself with a large leaf . Josie was about to sit down beside her on the rustic seat and wait , when her quick eye saw afar off two manly forms arrayed in white flannel ; their blue legs seemed bearing them towards the battle going on in the distance ; but they never reached the fray ; for with a cry of joy , Jo raced away to meet them , bent on securing this heaven-sent reinforcement . Both paused as she came flying up , and both raised their hats ; but oh , the difference there was in the salutes ! The stout youth pulled his off lazily and put it on again at once , as if glad to get the duty over ; the slender being , with the crimson tie , lifted his with a graceful bend , and held it aloft while he accosted the rosy , breathless maid , thus permitting her to see his raven locks smoothly parted , with one little curl upon the brow . Dolly prided himself upon that bow , and practised it before his glass , but did not bestow it upon all alike , regarding it as a work of art , fit only for the fairest and most favoured of his female admirers ; for he was a pretty youth , and fancied himself an Adonis . Eager Josie evidently did not appreciate the honour he did her , for with a nod she begged them both to ` come along and play tennis , not go and get all hot and dirty with the boys ' . These two adjectives won the day ; for Stuffy was already warmer than he liked to be , and Dolly had on a new suit which he desired to keep immaculate as long as possible , conscious that it was very becoming . ` Charmed to oblige , ' answered the polite one , with another bend .
` You play , I 'll rest , ' added the fat boy , yearning for repose and gentle converse with the XXXXX in the cooling shade .
Athletic Princess afternoon damsels mallets pennons punt raven salutes wherry