Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-02-22
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Twice he sang II to himself with al
air OF satisfaction. and twice the NOV
ing. but silent, lips of Erebus repeated
1t.
Then she said, "Oh, uncle, it's splen
did -
Sir Maurice turned sharply: "You
tell anyone, little pitcher. and I'll pull
your long ears he said amiably.
Here he comes said the unfnoved
Erebus, nodding toward figure com.
ing swiftly across the common.
Three strides brought Sir Maurice
to the top Of the steps. I'm going
back to bed Tell him I'm In bed -
he cried, and. slamming the door, he
vanished.
Captain Baster spent barren morn.
ing chatting furiously at bis failure to
find the man he had made his bosom
friend. The early afternoon was no
less barren; but at tea-time he found
him at Colet House. Mrs. Dangerfeld
brother and Captain Baster. The
Higher Mathematician. the father Of
Virgins. had come. and Mrs. Blenkin-
sop and Mrs. Morton and the rector
and his wife. and the squire, Mr.. Car
ruthers: and Virgins had come with
the Twins. Mrs. Dangerfeld had
taken advantage Of the st. Martins
summer afternoon to have tea In the
garden.
Captain Baster's heart swelled big
within him: here was his chance to
shine. He seized 1t with enthusiasm;
he was the life and soul of the gather
ing when he was not being humorous
he was important. telling them Of his
country-house, his fiat in town, his
race-horses. his hunters. his motor
cars. his exploits at polo. cricket and
golf. He patronized everybody with
splendid affability. everybody except
Sir Maurice; and him he addressed In
tones Of perfect equality. as Maurice.
old boy" or Maurice. old chap" or
: plain Maurice" He did shine: his
agreeable exertions threw him into a
Precipitation: his nose shone especially;
l and they all hated him. He had re-
= duced them to a blink silence when
he told them how he had been stoned
: by huking scoundrels the night be-
fore He paused and looked round for
sympathy.
Erebus rose from her seat and went
to the gravel path: their eyes. slightly
: dazed. followed her; she was a relief.
'UTlOuS-NeTv CURIOUS. Shiu Ln0
: rector politely to Captain Baster.
, Erebus chose three pebbles from the
, path with great care. The first pebble
: hit the weathercock above the house
p plumb in the center; the second missed
its tail by perhaps an inch; the third
/. hit the tail full. and the weathercock
, spun round as though a vigorous gale
} were devoting itself to its tail only.
. That's where meant to hit 1t the
l first time" said Erebus with n little
: explanatory wave Of the hand; and
r she returned to her seat.
The silence that fell was oppressive -:
Captain Baster was gazing earnestly
Mt Erebus; his rowing black eyes were
fixed in an incredulous, unwinking
stare.
: THAT shows you the danger Of Jump
ing to hasty conclusions" said the
:, Higher Mathematician in his clear.
= agreeable voice. II made sure 1t was
! the Terror"
Q $50 did l." said the Rector.
= The silence fell again. Mechanically.
4 Captain Baster rubbed the blue bump
n on his marble brow.
Erebus broke the silence: she said,
l. HAS anyone heard Wigglns's new
8 song?"
t At least three hasty. thoughtless peo-
n pie cried with one voice, mo. Let's
n hear IT."
Come on. Virgins ." cried the rec
u tor and the squire together. heartily.
: The situation was saved.
e Sir Maurice thought not he knew
J. what was coming knew 1t in the depths
Of his CONSTRUCTED heart; he glared at
" the piQuant. glowing face of his niece
a as II he wished the earth to open and
n swallow her up.
Virgins held back a little. Then.
e pushed forward by the eager Terror.
>. he stepped forward and in his clear,
- shrill treble, sang, slightly out or tune
"Where did his colonel dig him up,
. So young So fair, SO sweet.
IL With his shining nose and his square,
square toes,
II Was 1t Wrapping or BasinghalI
-. =, Street,"
y. As he sang Virgins looked artlessly
=. ut Captain Bastcr; as he finished,
:. everybody was looking ut Captain Bas-
- ter's boots: his feet required them
=, square-toed.
~ Captain Basters face was rich
u. rose pink he glared round the frozen
=; circle staring ut his boots: he saw the
~ faces melt into irrepressible smiles
~ ne looked at Sir Maurice, the man he
=, had made his bosom friend. for an In
:" dgnant outburst; Sir Maurice was
p" smiling too.
4 Captain Raster snorted; then he
70 swcllcd with splendid dignity. and said
~ loudly hut thckly; ~ refuse! Yes.
20 refuse to mix in society where chill
A. dren are brought mp ms hooligans-yes
Vi as hoolgans
"a He turned ON his heel. strobe to the
m gate, and turned aud beloved, "Hoolt
10 gans"
lie went through the gate. and
10 strobe violently across the common.
,s "Oh. Virgins How could your
pr cried Mrs Dangerfeld, in q tone OF
IN horror.
at wasn't Virgins. 1t was US! W.
made him." said the Terror
I'VE taught him! Virgins didp'
understand" cried Ercbus.
@. ~ did understand absolutely. Ru
why did he call me 'Freckles'p" sale
III Virgins In vengeful tone. "Nobod,
can help having freckleai"