The Cock-House at Fellsgarth | Page 2

the north wind in a gale against the Hawk's Back might be able to beat it. But then Fellsgarth was not competing; each of the fellows was merely chatting pleasantly to his neighbours. It was hardly a fair trial. And yet it was not bad for the School. When Dangle, who owned the longest ear in the school, could not hear a word which Brinkman, who owned the loudest voice, shouted into it, it spoke somewhat for what Fellsgarth might do in the way of noise if it tried.
The only two persons who were not actively contributing to the general clamour were the two new boys who sat wedged in among a mass of juniors at one of the lower tables. They may have considered that the beating of their hearts was noisy enough. But people in this world are slow at hearing other people's hearts beat. No one seemed to notice it.
It is due to the stouter of these two young gentlemen to say that the beating of his heart, and the general state of amaze in which he found himself, did not interfere greatly with his appetite. He had brought that accomplishment, if no other, from home, and not being engaged like those around him in conversation, he contrived to put away really a most respectable meal. Indeed, his exploits in this direction had already become a matter for remark among his neighbours.
"It's all right," said one of the juniors, who answered to the name of D'Arcy; "his buttons are sewn on with wire. They'll hold."
"I suppose he's made of gutta-percha," observed another. "He'll stretch a little more before he's done."
"I say, what a bill he's running up! By the way, what do they charge for this kind of pudding?"
"It's a dear kind--and nothing like as good as the sort we get for regular. I never could understand why they make fellows shell out for what they eat first-night."
"It is a swindle," said D'Arcy, solemnly. "I've had to make a very light meal, because I've only half a crown, and I'm afraid there won't be much change left out of that."
The new boy was just laying butter on a roll, and preparing to close the proceedings of the meal with a good square turn of bread and butter. But as D'Arcy's words fell on his ears he suddenly stopped short and looked up.
"I say," said he, "isn't this dinner charged in the house bill then?"
D'Arcy laughed derisively.
"Well, you most be a muff. Don't you know school doesn't begin till to- morrow? They give you dinner to-night, but you're not obliged to eat it."
The new boy took a gulp of water, which he calculated would be gratis under any circumstances, and then gasped--"I say, I didn't know that."
D'Arcy looked solemn. "Jolly awkward," said he; "what have you had?"
Whereupon Master Ashby, the new boy, entered on a detailed confession, which D'Arcy, evidently an expert at mental arithmetic, "totted up" as he went along.
"How many times pudding did you say?" he asked towards the end, "Twice and a bit."
"Three and ten; I dare say he won't be stiff about the bit, three and ten; and that roll and butter--"
"I've not eaten them."
"No, but you've touched them. You'll be charged, unless you can get a fellow to take them off your hands."
"Will you have them?" asked Ashby.
Whereupon there was a laugh at D'Arcy's expense, which annoyed that young gentleman.
"I don't want your second-hand grub. You'd better take it round and see what you can get for it."
Ashby looked at the bread, and then glanced round the table.
"No," said he, "I'll have it and pay for it, if it comes to that."
"That'll be four bob."
Ashby gave a gulp of despair.
"I've not got so much."
"Then you'll get in a jolly row."
"Could you lend me one and six, I say?" asked the new boy.
Again D'Arcy got the worst of the laugh.
"Didn't you hear me say I'd only just got enough to pay for my own? But I tell you what; you can hide under the table. You're not known."
Ashby looked round, and felt about with his foot under the table to ascertain what room there might be there. Then he flushed up. "No, I shan't," said he; "I'd get into the row instead."
As his eye travelled round and marked the curious smile on every face it suddenly dawned upon him that he had been "done." His first sensation was one of immense relief. He should not have to pay for his dinner after all! His second was a cunning device for getting out of the dilemma.
"I thought you'd begin to laugh soon," said he to D'Arcy. "I knew you couldn't keep it up."
D'Arcy turned very red in the face and glared at this audacious youngster in deserved wrath.
"What do you mean, you young ass? You