United States or Cocos Islands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Ah, by the way, I see a new face Kiffin, I think? Kiffin, this is Bultitude, who will make himself your mentor, I hope, and initiate you into our various manners and customs." And, with a horrible dream-like sense of unreality, Mr. Bultitude found himself being greeted by several entire strangers with a degree of warmth embarrassing in the extreme.
You will have the goodness to stand in the centre of that form. Gentlemen, select your partners for the Highland schottische!" Mr. Bultitude, by no means sorry to be freed from the irksome necessity of dancing with a heart ill-attuned for enjoyment, got up on the form and stood looking, sullenly enough, upon the proceedings.
After a time he did succeed, but his voice was hoarse and shaken with laughter as he spoke. "Haven't you found it out yet? Go and look at yourself in the glass it will make you roar!" There was the usual narrow sheet of plate glass at the back of the sideboard, and to this Mr. Bultitude walked, almost under protest, and with a cold dignity.
He tried to work his arm free from the close and affectionate grip of his unwelcome companion, who was regarding him with a sort of admiring leer. "What a fellow you are, Bultitude!" he said; "always up to something or other. You know me well enough. What is the use of keeping it up any longer? Let's talk, and stop humbugging. How much grub have you brought back this time?"
Needless to say, the work imposed as a holiday occupation had been first deferred, then forgotten, then remembered too late, and recklessly defied with the confidence begotten in a home atmosphere. Amidst a general silence Chawner happened to see Mr. Bultitude in his corner, and crossed over to him. "Why, there's Dicky Bultitude there all the time, and he never came to shake hands!
I'll open it myself." He took the key and opened the lid, when the cakes and wine stood revealed in all their damning profusion. The Doctor stepped back dramatically. "Hardbake!" he gasped; "wine, pots of strawberry jam! Oh, Bultitude, this is a revelation indeed!
Bultitude was paired with Tom Grimstone, who, after eyeing him askance for some time, could control his curiosity no longer. "I say, Dick," he began, "what's the matter with you this term?" "My name is not Dick," said Paul stiffly. "Oh, if you're so particular then," said Tom: "but, without humbug, what is the matter?" "You see a change then," said Paul, "you do see a difference, eh?"
There was a gentle tap at the door, and Dulcie came in, bearing a tray with his breakfast, and looking like a little Royalist bearing food to a fugitive Cavalier; though Paul did not quite carry out his share of the simile. "There!" she said, almost cheerfully; "I got Mummy to let me take up your breakfast; and there's an egg for you, and muffins." Mr. Bultitude sat on a chair and groaned.
"Certainly, sir; expectin' some one to-night or to-morrow p'raps. Let me see," he said, consulting a table which hung behind him. "There's a train from Pancras comes in in half an hour from now, 6.5 that is; there's another doo at 8.15, and one at 9.30. Then from Liverpool Street they run " "Thank you," said Mr. Bultitude, "but but I want the up-trains."
He would be pleased to know she thought that, I'm sure." "Tell him, and see what he says," suggested Tom; "he is an awful brute to you though, isn't he?" "If," growled Mr. Bultitude, "slaving from morning till night to provide education and luxury for a thankless brood of unprofitable young vipers is 'being a brute, I suppose he is." "Why, you're sticking up for him now!" said Tom.
Word Of The Day