Page 115 - English Class 07

father, who was keeping wicket, dropped a catch and made up for it later. The innings ended

with a modest total of 145 runs.
‘Lunch first,’ said the bank manager, and they took a half-hour break. Soon the picnic was in

full swing with patties, pakora, carrot halwas, savoury rice and sauces of all kinds. No one
noticed that Nakoo, using some tall reeds as cover, had crept half way up the river bank.
Those delicious food smells had reached him too.

After lunch, the bank manager strode out to the wicket in the company of young Nathu.

Sheroo opened the bowling for the village team. The tall Delhi player took up bowling from
the other end. The bank manager had his bat raised and the ball took his middle stump.

‘A fly got in my eye,’ he muttered. ‘I wasn’t ready, flies everywhere!’ and he swatted
angrily at flies that no one else could see.

He walked to the banyan tree and lowered himself into the cot respectfully brought for him
by the villagers, rather gingerly . It creaked but took his weight. Soon he was fast asleep. The
flies did not seem to bother him any more.

There were a couple of good partnerships till Mani got a ball to spin sharply and Nathu was
out. Then, Nathu’s father, the baker, scored two
swatted : hit (the flies using his hand)
and was run out while trying to make another two. gingerly : carefully so as not to get hurt

So, intent was everyone on watching the cricket that no one noticed that Nakoo had crept
further up the river bank to slide beneath the cot on which the bank manager was sleeping.

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