The Argosy — page 195: what you’re looking at

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

Edina. 181 The school-room was to be the play-house, and the pupils were to have seats amid the audience. Charles entered into it with wonderful energy. He never now had a minute for lying on three chairs, or for stretching his hands above his head to help a mournful yawn. A letter that arrived from Edina, re- quiring him to transact a little matter of business, was wholly neglected ; it would have involved his going to the City, and he said he had no time for it. Edina had intended to insure the new furniture in the same Cornish office that her father had insured his in for so many years. Perhaps she had more faith in it than in the London offices. However, after some negotiation with the Cornish company upon her return to Tren- nach, they declined the offer, as the furniture it related to was so far away, and recommended to her a safe and good insurance company in the City of London. She wrote to Mrs, Raynor, desiring that Charles should at once go to the City to do what was necessary and secure the policy. Charles put it off upon the plea that he was too busy; it could wait. “Charley, I think you ought to do it, if only to comply with Edina’s wish,” urged Mrs. Raynor. “ And so I will, mother, as soon as I get a little time.” “ Tt would only take you half a day, my dear.” “ But I can't spare the half day. Do you think the house is going to be burnt down ?” “Nonsense, Charley !” “Then where’s the need of hurry?” he persisted. “I have looked after everybody else’s part so much, and the arrangements altogether, that I scarcely know a word yet of my own. I stuck yesterday at the very first sentence Charles Marlowe has to say.” Mrs, Raynor, never able to contend against a stronger will, gave in as usual, saying no more. And Charles was left unmolested. But in the midst of this arduous labour, for other people as well as for himself, Charles received news from Colonel Cockbum. The Colonel wrote to say he was in London for a couple of days, and Charles might call in St. James’s Street the following morning. This mandate Charles would not put off, in spite of the exigencies of the theatricals ; and of the first rehearsal, two evenings hence. The grand performance was to take place during the few days’ holiday Mrs. Raynor gave at Michaelmas ; and Michaelmas would be upon them in little more than a week. Charles went to St. James’s Street. And there his hopes, in regard to the future, received a very decided check. Colonel Cockburn—who turned out to be a feeble and deaf old gentleman—informed Charles that he could not help him to obtain a commission, and mor¢ovet, ex- plained many things to him, and assured him that he had no chance of comichooks.com