Cheer Boys Cheer: The Boys' Journal, No. 62 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

36 PAGES. EVERY TUESDAY. ONE PENNY. 27 - © But it’s important.’ “Then it had better keep till Wednesday.” “Well, this is most annoying! And I’ve come all the way from 2 . But the doctor was six stairs up. And, as a man of Mr. Arthur Wit- tering’s years and station could hardly lurk about the staircase and corridors in order to go into a sick- room that had been forbidden him, Mr. Arthur Wittering, without ‘troubling to say good-bye to anyone ‘or wait while a carriage was got ready for him, put on his tall hat and spring overcoat, and set off on foot to Levenick in the worst temper imaginable. Biggleswade y. Bencraft. “The cub!” © exelaimed Mr. Arthur, as he conveyed his lean form along by the green hedges. ‘“ Wait till Alfred is up! He’ll sing another tune then! Impertinence—and a day _ wasted! Ill teach the cub!” So exasperated was the lawyer that the afternoon postman, pad- ding along with canvas bag over his shoulder, had to side-step into the hedge to avoid the umbrella which Mr. Arthur was twizzling round in his rage. As it happened, a glimpse at a letter in that canvas bag would have afforded Mr. Arthur considerable satisfaction. It would also have been a powerful weapon in his hands, for it would have exposed Bob's Smith’s weakest side to him. Bob's face fell considerably when he read it. “My dear Robert,’’ ran the letter, —“‘Tt is really most disappointing to hear that the post—and such a good post—was not intended for you, after all. It looks very much as if you will have to come home when Mr. Wittering is able to go into the matter, as, of course, you are not old enough to fill a senior mastership. It is very disappointing and annoying, especially as your father’s recent loss of capital is much more serious than he led you to suppose. I think you ought to know this. We shall have to econo- mise now, and perhaps go into a smaller house. There is, of course, a possibility that Mr. Wittering may like to keep you on as a junior master, so do all you can to stay at the Hill House, as it is imperative that you should have something to do and be able to keep yourself. I shall Lope to receive good news, but if I don’t I shall know you are not to blame. With love, dear boy.— Your affectionate MotHEr.”’ Bob’s eyes were a little misty as he read this letter again. He saw there was trouble at home, and that his mother was writing with a heavy heart. So he with his stood, letter between finger and thumb, gloomy , thoughts in his mind. And Elsie, coming upon him just then, noticed the look on his face. wm © Ss A ** What’s the matter?’’ she asked, in her downright way. “Bit of a wail from home, replied Bob. ‘‘ Rather necessary just vow for me to keep my nose to the grindstone, and all that sort of thing.” “Tsee!’’ said Elsie, with complete comprehension. ‘“ Well, come and have some tea.” * Thanks !”? said Bob. ‘“ But that sound of a brick-bat hitting up against an iron gate is really the voice of the sergeant calling the boys from their play, and I’m due to help him. And I want to get out of these very proper togs as well.’’ “Tt can all wait for a few minutes,’ said Elsie.” ‘‘ You’ve had no tea, and you’ve had rather an exciting afternoon so far. In fact, for the first time since I’ve known you, you look rather pale.’’ “Do 1?”? said Bob. ‘‘I don’t feel pale.”’ Elsie rang for Webb and ordered a third tea; then settled herself comfortably in the Chesterfield. Bob took a seat near her. “What should you do if I were to faint?” he asked. “ Dab eau-de-Cologne on your fore- head,” said Elsie, ‘‘ and then you’d open your eyes and give me a dreamy smile, and go off again. Faints are like that. Then Dr. Whiteman would come down and order me out of the room, and then he and Webb would smack your hands and pour brandy between your teeth.” 3d The great battle of Biggleswade versus Beneraft was in full swing, when a totally umexpeejed interrtiption eccurred,. VAC oO lalataalW a b (ava = (Ya) GOMIGEDOOKS GO wh fl