The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-22
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nor seems to be waxy enough for any
thing
After some discussion they mapped olt
plan of campaign, and that afternoon
Bunny presented himself at the heaimas-
tsr's house for tea. lie had been acco. d.
cd 4 standing invitation there, an invita-
tion of which it is needless to say he
never took advantage. Special inv.titions
were bad enough. After while the h, adj
masters wife tactfully left Bunny ANA his
sister alone She feared that fourta-
form boy who bearded tea at the house
unnecessarily must be in some serious
trouble.
''Niaude,'' he observed when she rad de-
parted. I've cCme to spsak to you"
IF you didn't try to eat mullins and
Strawberries at the same time, you m ght
do it more easily" his sister replied I'M
feelingly.
Don't rot, Maude," Bunny said; it's
rather serious.
Would five shillings be enough she
inquired.
ITS not money" he said impressively;
Il shall probably be caned.
THE wretched boy ate a hearty mea',
his sister replied without any proper dis-
play of emotion. What have you been
doing this time. Lionel?''
I'm on satisfecit," he explained tragi-
cally.
What a horrible crime" she laughed.
What in the world is it,
1T is that brute Jimmy" her brother
burst out.
OH. she said softly. If Ellis minor
had been there, he would have noticed
the blush. Tell me about it. :"
Bunny told her about it, and about the
nature of satisfecit and the pangs of can
ing. and the enormities of Jimmy. 1t
wit
touches derived from Ellis minor, and
Miss Urquhart listened with apparent in
terest There was however, twinkle
in her eyes which annoyed Bunny.
And now" he concluded. hes tortur-
| ing me-slowly torturing me because IN
not clever"
.Bosh,'' his sister said. You're going
to be caned because you're idle.
DO you mean TO say you don't pity
me-" Bunny asked.
Not in the least" she said placidly. 4
suppose you thoroughly deserve it,
Very well, Bunny said decisively. I'll
write TO the guy nor about it and see what
he says"
The twinkle disappeared from Miss Ur-
quhart's tyes.
"Lionel" she said with sudden appre-
hensicn, If you do that. I'll never forgive
YOU
Why shouldn't -" he inquired stolidly
He'll be down next day and make it jolly
hot for Jimmy
Mr.. Urqubart. senior, would certainly
have regarded the occasion as suitable
one for a visit TO Marlborough. He had a
theoretical horror of corporal punishment
and passion for interfering with his sons
school career. TO Bunny's credit be il said
that he had never hitherto appealed for
parental Intervention. nor at that moment
had he any real intention of doing so, but
the advice of Ellis minor was persuasively
ingenious. The latter had. as one of the
masters said. "a bright but criminal future
before him
You don't want father to make another
row, do your? Maude inquired, desperate
~.
Don't IL" Bunny reioined, calmly. I
want him 10 make such row as two mas
tiers and boy of our day cannot carry.
TN just about pip Old Jimmy
Miss Urquhart looked deeply distressed.
Mr. Urquhart's prejudices when once
aroused were difficult TO overcome and it
was unlikely if Bunny carried out his
threat. that Mr. Baker would ever be ac-
cepred with equanimity as son-in-iaw.
Besides. the Intervention. of vindictive
parent at this juncture might diminish
the lustre of Mr.. Bakers testimonials and
references.
Please don't, Lionel-to please me-
his sister said.
oh" Bunny replied. surveying her with
disdain. Il see what il is. You're mashed
on that cad of a man.
Lionel she burst out, reprovngly.
oh. I don't mind, he rejoined. loftily.
Please yourself ! don't very much OBJ
jeCt. In fact. it's rather a good thing.
You can choke him oil now
What do you mean. you wretched boye'
she asked
Write him note and tell him not to.
Oh. my tin hat! Won't he look bilious?"
Il won't she answered Indignantly.
Very we'll the graceless youth said,
its that or the guv'nor."
Miss Urquhart pondered hesitatingly for
a moment or two, while Bunny eyed her
/ triumphantly with the air of a blackmailer.
Then she did what was the most foolish
thing possible under the circumstances
she gave Bunny a full account OF her en-
gagcmcnt and of he difficulties which ne
might create if he brought their father o.
the scene. That" as Bunny subsequently,
/ explained to Ellis minor. gave the whole
show away. While fully agreeing with her
( estimate of the probable difficulties of such
I a situation. and even emphasizing them
( with some ingenuity, he stOIidly declined
( to abandon his threat, and reiterated il
/ with even more yerisiInilitude than before.
II took some little while longer but
Bunny held the trumps. and an hour or
+ two afterWard. after a conference with
Ellis minor, he strolled with an air Of easy
nonchalance into Mr.. Bakers room with q
note in his pocket.
Well, Urquhart2" the latter inquired
come for your satisfecit?'
Can / sit down" Bunny replied care
lessly
For the present you can" the master
and, with a chuckle at his powers OF
rerartee, but ! don't see why you
should"
I've come TO talk TO YOU for a few min
utes, Ir Baker ~ Bunny went on unabash-
ed, and hoped it might be a friendly
1 conversation"
Did YOU" Mr.. Baker said in considera-
BILE establishment. Personally / should
have had my doubts"
! You see, Bunny announced, I've moi
come 10 speak TO you exactly as master
I've been talking TO my sister this after
noon.
Oh, said the other, turning a little
red.
Il told her. Bunny continued. that
was thinking CT writing to my father about
your conduct TO me lately. It's become
jolly insufferable, ! can tell you"
Mr.. Baker was on the point Of innictinp
summary chastisemant on the spot but he
managed 10 contain himself and to await
further information.
of course" Bunny pursued "shc was
naturally very much annoyed to hear thai
any one could treat her brother in such {
way. and
Did she say So"
NO. she didn't exactly say so. but sh,
looked rs If she was. She's got a yer,
expressive face hasn't she, sir?"
"Urquhart." the master began wrathful.
ly