Talbot Baines Reed

“ Jemmy Welch was a Guinea-pig who had just made a particularly good shot at the speaker’s nose with a piece of plum-cake. “Now, ladies and gentlemen, I shall not detain you with a speech (loud cheers from all, and ‘Jolly good job!’ from Bramble) . I shall go on speaking just as long as I choose, Bramble, so now! (Cheers.) I’ve as much right to speak as you have. (Applause.) You’re only a stuck-up duffer. (Terrific cheers, and a fight down at the end of the table.) I beg to drink the health of the Guinea-pigs. (Loud Guinea-pig cheers.) ”

“ And every one protested their willingness to die in the good cause.
At this stage Oliver and Wraysford withdrew unobserved.
“I’m afraid we’ve been eavesdropping,” said Oliver. “Anyhow, I don’t mean to take advantage of what I’ve heard.”
“What a young ruffian your brother is!” said Wraysford; “he looked tremendously in earnest!”
“Yes, he always is. You’ll find he’ll keep his word far better than most of them.”
“If he does, I’m afraid Loman will make it unpleasant for him,” said Wraysford. ”

“ The Junior “cricket feast” was an institution in Saint Dominic’s, and was an occasion when any one who had nerves to be excruciated or ear-drums to be broken took care to keep out of the way. In place of the usual desks and forms, a long table ran down the room, round which some fifty or sixty urchins sat, regaling themselves with what was left of a vast spread of plum-cake, buns, and ginger-beer. How these banquets were provided was always a mystery to outsiders. ”

“ No! I’d sooner pass as a coward than set up as a saint when I’m not one. Why, Wray, if you’ll believe me, I’ve been a worse Christian since I began to try to be one, than I ever was before. I’m for ever losing my temper, and—”
“Shut up that tune, now,” interposed Wraysford, hurriedly. “If you are beginning at that again, I’ll go. As if you didn’t know you were the best fellow in the school!”
“I’m not the best, or anything like,” said Oliver, warmly ”

“ They all set me down as a coward, and I’m not that.”
“Of course you aren’t,” warmly replied the other. “But, Noll, you told me a little while ago you didn’t care a snap what they thought.”
“No more I do, in a way. But it’s very uncomfortable.”
“Why don’t you tell them straight out why you didn’t let out at Loman? They are sure to respect your motive.” ”