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Updated: June 10, 2025
This prudent proposition was agreed to, an extra spoonful of tea was put in the pot, and Gayford went out and conducted his guests in personally. "The fact is," said Gayford, after having delicately disclosed the scheme on hand, and roused his hearers to a pitch of uncomfortable curiosity, "the fact is, Bowler and I thought you two fellows might like to join us."
His companion is a more delicate-looking boy, of about the same age, with a cheery face, and by no means unpleasant to look at. He is Gayford, as great a favourite in his way as Bowler, a boy whom nobody dislikes, and whom not a few, especially Bowler, like very much. These are the two who walked that afternoon towards Raveling.
But beggars cannot be choosers, and as the Long Stork was the only island of our heroes' acquaintance within reach, they had to take it as it was and make the best of it. A decided sea was running on the landward side of the island as they approached it, and even such inexperienced navigators as Bowler and Gayford could see that there would be some difficulty about effecting a quiet landing.
Braintree had his boots most carefully blacked, and Crashford practised boxing all Saturday afternoon with Rubble of the Fifth; Bowler and Gayford strolled casually round to Sound Bay, to see that the boat was safe in its usual place, and prospected the distant dim outline of the Long Stork from the cliffs.
Now then, Wallas, who's your man?" asked Bowler. "Tubbs," said Wallas. Tubbs was one of the most hopeless louts at Swishford. Gayford gave a low whistle; but he was too anxious to preserve the harmony of the party to offer any objection. "Now you, Braintree?" "I say, Cwashford. Jolly fellow, and knows French, too." "Ah, but he is such a cad," said Bowler imploringly.
Smugg was not in the room, and the rest of us congratulated Joe, and made up a purse for him to give Pyrrha, with our best respects, and he bowed himself out, mightily pleased, and asseverating that we were real gentlemen. Then we sat and looked at the table. "It robs us of a resource," pronounced Gayford, once again making himself the mouthpiece of the party.
They reached the landing-stage, and there, sure enough, danced the "Eliza" half a mile out at sea. "I'll try it," said Bowler, flinging off his coat. "What, to swim? You'll do nothing of the sort," said Gayford, seizing his friend by main force. "I tell you it's our only chance," cried Bowler. "Let go, do you hear?" "No, I won't, old man. We must make the best of it.
The features and the explanation between them rescued Smugg from the incongruity of a romance, but we united in the opinion that the lady was ill-advised in preferring Smugg to solitude. Still, for all that he was a ridiculous creature, she did, and hence it happened that Smugg, desiring to form a furnishing fund, organized a reading party, which Gayford, Tritton, Bird, and I at once joined.
Strange to say, Wallas disputed the matter no further, and turned with his companions to start on their tour of discovery. Bowler kept whistling cheerily, and Gayford shouted in reply till the two parties were out of earshot. Then each walked on in silence, eagerly scanning sea and shore in search of hope.
The week following the important consultation described in the last chapter was one of serious excitement to at least seven boys at Swishford. Other fellows could not make out what was the matter, and as long as Bowler did not shirk the football match, and Gayford stuck up as usual for his house, they did not particularly care.
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