Once Aboard The Lugger | Page 7

expenses I shall make you a small allowance. You
will live in my house. Your wants should be insignificant."
In a faint voice George squeezed in: "I have heard that one can work far
better by living near the hospital in digs."
"Elucidate."
"Digs--lodgings. I have heard that one can work far better by living
near the hospital in lodgings."

"Adjust that impression," Mr. Marrapit had told him. "You are
misinformed."
George struggled: "I should have the constant companionship of men
absorbed in the same work as myself. We could exchange views and
notes in the evenings."
"In your books seek that companionship. With them compare your
views. Let your notes by them be checked. They are infallible."
George said no more. At that moment the freedom of hospital as
against the restraint of school, was a gallant steed upon which he outrid
all other desires. The prospect of new and strange books in exchange
for those he so completely abhorred, was an alluring delight. It is not
until the bargain is complete that we discover how much easier to
polish, and more comfortable to handle, are old lamps than new.
Mr. Marrapit had referred to his notes: "In regard to the allowance I
shall make you. I earnestly pray no spur may be necessary to urge you
at your tasks. Yet, salutary it is that spur should exist. I arrange,
therefore, that in the deplorable event of your failing to pass any
examination your allowance shall be diminished."
"Will it be correspondingly increased when I pass first shot?"
The fearful possibilities of this suggestion Mr. Marrapit had hesitated
to accept. Speculation was abhorrent to this man. Visions of success
upon success demanding increase upon increase considerably agitated
him. Upon the other hand, the sooner these successes were won, the
sooner, he reflected, would he be rid of this incubus, and, in the
long-run, the cheaper. He nerved himself to the decision. "I agree to
that," he had said. "The compact is affirmed."
It was a wretched compact for George.
But the sum had not yet been fixed. George, standing opposite his uncle,
twisted one leg about the other; twined his clammy hands; put the
awful question: "By how much will the allowance be increased or cut
down?"
"By two pounds a quarter."
George plunged: "So if I fail in my first exam. I shall get eleven pounds
at the quarter? if I pass, fifteen?"
Horror widened Mr. Marrapit's eyes; shrilled his voice: "What is the
colossal sum you anticipate?"
"I thought you said fifty-two pounds a year-a pound a week."

"A monstrous impression. Adjust it. Four pounds a quarter is the sum.
You will have no needs. It errs upon the side of liberality--I desire to be
liberal."
George twisted his legs into a yet firmer knot: "But two failures would
wipe it bang out."
"Look you to that," Mr. Marrapit told him. "The matter is settled."
But it was further pursued by George when outside the door.
"Simply to spite that stingy brute," vowed he, "I'll pass all my exams,
with such a rush that I'll be hooking sixteen quid a quarter out of him
before he knows where he is. I swear I will."
It was a rash oath. When Youth selects as weapon against Authority
some implement that requires sweat in the forging Authority may go
unarmed. The task of contriving such weapons is early abandoned. In
three months George's hot resolve was cooled; in six it was forgotten;
at the end of three years, after considerable fluctuation, his allowance
stood at minus two pounds for the ensuing quarter.
Mr. Marrapit, appealed to for advance, had raved about his study with
waving arms.
"The continued strain of renewing examination fees consequent on
your callous failures," he had said, "terrifies me. I am haunted by the
spectre of ruin. The Bank of England could not stand it."
Still George argued.
With a whirlwind of words Mr. Marrapit drove him from the study:
"Precious moments fly even as you stand here. To your books, sir. In
them seek solace. By application to them refresh your shattered
pocket."
Shamefully was the advice construed. George sought and found solace
in his books by selling his Kirke, his Quain and his Stone to Mr.
Schoole of the Charing Cross Road; his microscope he temporarily
lodged with Mr. Maughan in the Strand; to the science of bridge he
applied himself with a skill that served to supply his petty needs.
Notwithstanding, his career at St. Peter's was of average merit. George
was now in the sixth year of his studies; and by the third part of his
final examination, was alone delayed from the qualification which
would bring him freedom from his uncle's irksome rule.

VI.

His attempt at this last examination had been