Argosy (UK), January 1955 — page 114: what you’re looking at

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

112 MARGARET BONHAM George stood and looked up at the rafters that his eyes could not distinguish, and listened to the stillness. The rats had sub- sided; nothing stirred. He felt warmer, relaxed, and peaceful. He stayed there for a minute, without moving, and then let himself out of the door and walked across the crisped mud of the yard to where his bicycle waited at the gate. The Lion had put up its Christmas decorations, and between the red curtains of the bar, George peered into a sparkle of coloured lights, paper chains looped from the beams, a wreath of holly round the clock. “Half a dozen people were inside, sitting round the fire, but not the ringers, who usually warmed up—except Albert—with a pint before they started. Under the lamp outside, its wrought-iron bracket twined with mistletoe, he hesitated, and then he heard the peal ring out along the street. As he came round the corner he saw the ringers . standing in a circle outside Mill Cottages, a lantern on the ground in the middle, the bells glinting as they rose and fell. Young Collis, with an agonized face, was ringing 5 and 6. In the frosty air the sound was sharp and clear as ice, the ringers’ breath a cloud round their heads. George lurked till Good King Wenceslas was over, and bore down on young Collis like fate. He said, “‘ I'll take they.” The circle broke and gaped. Albert said, ‘‘ Look here, George...” “Tis all right; you'll see,” George said with absolute con- viction. “ What’s us doing next?” “ Nowell,” said Albert uncertainly. “Come on, then.”’ With an anxious tremor, the first notes started up, and out of the corner of his eye, as his bells came in, strong and perfect, George saw the ringers turn their heads in amazement. He let out his breath like a trumpet, and grinned; winked at Albert; stood, warm and delighted, taking his place in the pattern. Out of the cottage doors light streamed over the hoary grass, people emerged and listened and called, “‘ Merry Christmas! ” at the end, and when no one was looking, George’s lips moved. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Crossley,” he said to himself, and swinging the bells in one hand, he went with Albert to pass the collecting-box round. JOHN KRUSE—EDGAR MITTELHOLZER EDITH PARGETER—ROBERT STANDISH in next month’s ARGOSY comicloooks.comnn