The King of the School, or, Who will Win? — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

12 “Take it, Chalky; you put a sovereign in my pocket by dropping that rest. Hal ha! ha!” All joined in a boisterous outbreak of laughter, in which Baynes joined. ‘* You are getting very sharp here, captain,” he observed. “ We are obliged to be, Mr. Baynes. Flats is more wide-awake than they used to be, and we are obliged to use all kinds of dodges. Remember, Mr. Baynes, to-morrow evening, if I don’t see you, I shall get everything ready for next Monday night.” “Yes,” responded Baynes, in a dreary, mechanical way, as though he hardly understood the words he was uttering ; and then he quitted the billiard-room. On arriving at the: college, he found that Egerton, Fitzgerald, and the Earl of Pembridge had returned before Remembering, however, that a chal- lenge had been given and accepted, he said nothing, and the evening passed over in peace. Supper was served for those who chose to partake of it at nine o’clock, after which meal all retired to bed, Frank Egerton’s apartment being shared with Charlie Fitzgerald. It was a tolerably roomy, double- bedded apartment; at least, so Frank found it when he had an opportunity of looking round, which was not till another candle was brought by Fitzgerald. “What is the matter, Frank ?” asked the latter. “Some one has been having a joke with me.” “‘ Ha, ha, ha |” Fitzgerald laughed most heartily at THE KING OF THE SCHOOL; OR, WHO WILL WIN? the dripping appearance presented by his friend, who stood, half amused, half angry, shivering, while water ran from every part of his dress. Some ingenious wight had placed a water jug upon the door, which had first been partly opened. - The jug itself was tied by a string to a nail driven into the wall above the door, so that on attempting to enter, Frank Egerton had caused it to over- turn, his punishment being the receipt of its contents upon his head and shoul- ders, the vessel itself remaining dang- ling at the top of the doorway. Fitzgerald’s laughter brought out the occupants of the other rooms on that floor. ‘Why, Egerton, you look like a mo- dern Leander !” exclaimed the Earl of Pembridge. “Have you been swimming across old Whackley’s water tank, in order to win the affections of one of the housemaids ?” : “Don’t chaff a fellow so awfully,” replied Frank. “Some of you have played a very good joke—rather old though; but [ll take care you don’t catch me again. Good night. I must make haste and change, or I shall catch cold.” | ‘“‘ Are you really very wet, Egerton?” asked the earl, coming forward. “ Soaked.” ‘¢ J am very sorry, indeed ; I did not think of the consequences to you when I foolishly perched that jug up there. It was I who did it, Egerton, and I ask your forgiveness,” “Which is given as soon asasked,” re- plied Egerton, holding out his hand te show that he bore no enmity. Qe BSD ECO IOC EO mn