The Island School — page 390: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

y a THE SKELETON AT THE FEAST. 393 “Ti be ‘hanged iif:she is!” thought Jim, as he thrust oth the lettersinto his pocket. “ However, if Eveline chooses to think sa, that 4s her affair.” The preparations for the evening feast were well on their way. Cobbles.and-Smith had been out to get some winter-bloom for the table, and with a species of wild chrysanthemum of varying colours, they had made quite.asnow. The air was pleasantly laden with the smell of cooking perk and boiling vegétables—not the aroma for the esthetic young man, but decidedly to the taste of hungry boys. Jim returned about five o’clock, and he spent much ot the intervening time talking in a quiet way with Morse. | They had a great variety of views to exchange. There were plans for the future to be considered, too, but these were not much discussed. For the moment they simply reviewed their present position. By-and-by the board was spread. Right loyally had Romeo and his assistants worked. Not the least among the latter were Giuseppo’s followers. They ‘were half-gipsy rascals accustomed to looking after themselves, and cunning in many ways of cooking the simplest things so as to make them palatable. "There was pork, and warmed-up tinned meat turned into a hash with potatoes and herbs; likewise, baked and fried potatoes, and many other viands manufac- tured out of a simple assortment of materials. Never before had the table been so nobly spread. The ladies did not join the party. For them ‘Romeo:conveyed a portion ofsthe food to their room. They wished it to be so, as they were still suffering from the fatigue and weakness arising from recent exposure. Thus the boys and the men had the hall to them- selves. Jim took the head of the table, and Martin was desired to act as vice-chairman. For those who wished it there was some of the old wine found m the castle vaults. The men were not averse to it, but the boys, remembering its strength, shunned it. They had plenty of light spirits without the aid of wine. Chorker had no place at the table. He was wequested by Romeo to take a “ back seat,” which he did without demur, in a corner, where, with a plate of feod upon his knees, he fared as well as he could hope to do. There was no thought of an intruding enemy, no fear of anything. The platform by the castle gates ‘was drawn away, and the gates were open. So was the door of the hall, for, with so many there, a little dresh air was clesirable. There was the inevitable loud talking and abun- «lance of laughter. Jokes that had no occasion to be very profound, were received with hearty merriment. laughter everywhere. All joy and no thought or care for the morrow. Suddenly Dibble was seen to turn pale. He sat at the upper end of the table, not far from the door, towards which his eyes were directed. It was Rainstone who first marked his change of colour, and he also looked towards the door- way. Immediately every vestige of colour fled from his cheeks. There, standing in the doorway, with the darkness of night for a background, was the figure of a pinch- faced man with hair and meagre beard, his eyes wandering about wildly, and one of his hands extended like that of the poor old man in “The Beggar's Petition.” A moment later, and all eyes were upon the strange visitant. Jim, in his position at the head of the table, was nearest to him, and springing out of his seat,-he cried: “Who are you, and what do you want ?” “Boys—I am starving,” was the reply, “for days and days I have lived as the beasts of the field.” “Merciful Heaven, it is Nap Farrell !” The familiar way of speaking of the schoolmaster came naturally from Jim’s lips. It was followed by a general cry of alarm. _“ Keep quiet, boys,” sang out Jim. “ Somebody put a chair by the fire for him.” It was done, and Jim, taking all tnat was left of the schoolmaster by the arm, led him to the welcome seat. The arm he held was little more than skin and bone. “You are kind—you ulways were,” murmured the schoolmaster, raising his lustreless eyes to Jim’s face — “vou always were. I thought you would sake me in. even if my own flesh and blood turned against me.” “ Give me some of that wine,” said Jim. A mug of it was passed to him by Martin. Jim put it to the lips of the famished man and bade him drink warily. “ Only a little before you eat,” he said. “It warms me,” muttered the schoolmaster, “ and I haven't been warm for daysand nights. Give me a little more.” : “ Kat first,” said Jim, authoritatively. Some meat and potatoes were handed to him, and he ate, but not so ravenously as they expected. He was too weary and worn for fast eating. But he finished the welcome fare, and leant back in the chair with a sigh. ‘“‘T am better now,” he softly said. Then Jim gave him some more wine, and after that a further supply of food. Finally, a third dose of: wine. “ That will do now,” said Jim. “T was coming to the castle,’ said Mr. Farrell, speaking very slowly amidst a breathless silence, ‘ and was two days on the road. com to books. c om