to play their full League team; and the Olympians with their nine International players were ever a great attraction. But the start was delayed ten minutes, and a great concourse was kept waiting because Mary had brought her kodak. She took charge of the Albion as well as their opponents; posing them for the camera, and appearing to know each of them by name, although she didn't really; but it was all done with the charm and the naïve assurance that had made her so famous with the public.
"Beg pardon, ma'am," said the Secretary and Manager; "don't like to hurry you, but the crowd is getting a bit restive."
"Oh, tell the band to play 'Rule Britannia,' and it will be all right," said Mary.
And in this her judgment was perfectly sound.
"Now, boys, look your best," said she. "All smile, please. Just imagine you have knocked out the Villa, which, of course, you will next Saturday, because I've made up my mind that you are going to, and I'm a proper mascot, as they know in the North. Not too broad, Joe Pierce, because of the plate. Ve-ry nice—ve-ry nice in-deed. Thank you, boys; and just see if you don't beat the Villa, although, of course, you are going to lose this afternoon."
So much for her handling of the democracy, which was brilliantly successful. The whole team were her
