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Updated: May 12, 2025
Stephen, meanwhile, had had Mr Cripps on his mind too, for that afternoon his bat had come home. It was addressed to "Mr Greenfield, Saint Dominic's," and of course taken to Oliver, who wondered much to receive a small size cricket-bat in a parcel. Master Paul, however, who was in attendance, was able to clear up the mystery.
After a few more trials he made the two clear-boards, and Mr Cripps was duly astonished and impressed. "That's what I call smart play," said he. "Now, if I was a betting man, I'd wager a sixpence you couldn't do it again." "Yes, I can, but I won't bet," said Stephen. He did do it again, and Mr Cripps said it was a good job for him the young swell didn't bet, or he would have lost his sixpence.
He hadn't been naturally a vicious boy, or a cowardly boy, or a stupid boy, but he had become all three; and as he sat and brooded over his hard luck, as he called it, that morning, his mind was filled with mingled misery and fear and malice towards every one and everything, and he felt well-nigh desperate. His interview with Cripps came off that afternoon.
A charming afternoon's occupation this for a boy of seventeen! He sat and pondered for an hour or more, sometimes fancying he had hit upon the object of his search, and sometimes finding himself quite off the tack. Had Cripps only known what care and diligence was being bestowed on him that afternoon he would assuredly have been highly nattered.
So the shortest cut is to send on the money sharp to your humble servant, Ben Cripps. "P.S. I've wrote and told the young swell I've put you on the job." "It is evident," said Mr Rastle, "this letter has something to do with Loman's disappearance." "Yes," said Oliver, "he was awfully frightened of you or his father getting to know about it all, sir."
How Cripps had used his advantage to drive the boy from one wickedness and folly to another from deceit to gambling, from gambling to debt, from debt to more deceit, and so on. How drinking, low company, and vicious habits had followed. How all the while he was trying to keep up appearances at the school, though he saw that he was gradually becoming an object of dislike to his fellows.
He said he would get it for me. I say, is that a good bat, Oliver?" "Nothing out of the way. But, I say, young 'un, how much have you given for it?" "Not anything yet. Mr Cripps said I could pay in June, when I get my next pocket-money." "What on earth has he to do with when you get your pocket-money?" demanded Oliver. "Who is this young Cripps? He's a cad, isn't he?"
Sir Patrick had won, and it was a fact therefore that Loman owed Cripps and his friend between them thirty pounds, without the least possibility of paying them. One thing was certain. Alas! what a spirit this, in which to meet difficulties!
So Mr Rastle abruptly turned and went, much to the regret of Cripps, who had not half spoken his mind yet. Returning to the school, the master reported all he had to say, which was not much. There an anxious night was spent by the masters and the one or two boys who were in their confidence in the matter. The half hope that Loman might return of his own accord before night was quickly dispelled.
That'll do, and if you don't like it well, the governor shall know about it!" Stephen was dreadfully uncomfortable. Though, to his knowledge, he had done nothing wrong, he felt terribly guilty at the bare notion of the Doctor being informed of his transactions with Mr Cripps, besides greatly in awe of the vague threats held out by that gentleman.
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