United States or South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
And yet Oliver and Wraysford, somehow, seemed more than ever drawn together, and to understand one another better after this than had ever been the case before. If anything had been required to make the "strike" of the Guinea-pigs and Tadpoles a serious matter, the "affair of Greenfield senior's right foot" undoubtedly had that effect.
"No, I don't," replied Wraysford, but so sadly and hesitatingly that had he at once confessed he did, he could not have expressed his meaning more plainly. "I'd give anything to be sure it was all false," said Pembury, "and so would a lot of the fellows. As for that fool Simon " "Bah!" exclaimed Wraysford, fiercely, "the fellow ought to be kicked round the school."
But even that would not have been so bad, had not Oliver immediately gone and made up to Simon before all the class. Wraysford did not remain to join in the chorus of indignation in which the others indulged after morning school was over. He left them and strolled out dismally into the playground. He must do something! He must know one way or the other what to think of Oliver.
"Well, I call that a splendid idea," says Braddy. "Won't they be in a fury? "What shall we call it?" some one asks. "Ah, yes," says Pembury, "we ought to give it a good name." "Call it the Senior Wrangler," suggested Ricketts. "Sounds too like a family concern," cried Tom Senior. "Suppose we call it the Fifth Form War Whoop," proposed Wraysford, amid much laughter.
Oh, I say, Loman, beg us off. I never let out on you not even when you got " Wren, who had allowed this burst of eloquence to proceed thus far, here turned sharply on his heel, and left the two companions in wrong in possession of the field. Next morning, when Loman got up, he found the following note on his table: "Wraysford takes your place as monitor.
Now among those who were present to witness the famous "rush-up" of Greenfield senior and Wraysford, which ended in the fall of the County goal, was one boy who showed very little enthusiasm over the achievement, or very little delight at the glory which the school thereby derived.
"Come on, how, old man!" said Wraysford; "we can't do any good by staying here." Oliver looked disposed to resist, and cast a glance at the cottage door by which Cripps had just vanished. But he let himself be persuaded eventually, and turned gloomily towards the boat.
But instead of that he was evidently determined to brazen the thing out, and had begun by snubbing the very fellows whom he had so deeply injured. Wraysford felt specially hurt. It had cost him a good deal to put on a friendly air and speak as if nothing had happened; and to find himself scorned for his pains and actually avoided by the friend who had wronged him was too much.
The two friends had not been alone together since the fracas in the Fifth two days before, and both now appeared glad of an opportunity of talking over that and subsequent events. "I suppose you know a lot of the fellows are very sore at you for not thrashing Loman?" said Wraysford. "I guessed they would be. Are you riled, too, Wray?"
There was just time, by a tremendous effort, to save themselves; but Oliver's oar was caught under one of the seats, and before he could extricate it the precious opportunity was lost. No one said a word. Stephen, with pale face, pulled his rudder string; and Wraysford, with his one oar, tried desperately to arrest the headlong progress of the boat.
Word Of The Day