"I think it very possible."
"It'll be a jolly good race," said Telson. "Old Parson is coxing
Parrett's, and it looks like a win for them. Only we aren't so bad, and
now Gilks is out of the boat and Riddell's settled as cox we ought to
make a race of it. Fairbairn's quite as long a reach as Bloomfield,
only he doesn't kick his stretcher so hard--does he, Parson?"
"Rather not," said Parson. "That's where we get the pull of you;
besides, I'm a lighter weight than Riddell, though he's boiled down a
good bit since he went into training."
"Good deal depends on who gets the inside berth," said Telson,
delightfully oblivious of the bewildered Mrs Paddy's presence. "It's a
jolly long swing round Willow Point for the outsiders--half a length at
least."
"Yes; but it's just as bad round the corner at the finish the other
way."
"Ah! talking about the race, I see," said the doctor, returning to the
group at this point. "So, Telson, Riddell's to steer your boat after
all."
"Yes, sir," said Telson; "it's settled now."
"So that the schoolhouse boat is still the captain's boat, eh? Ah!
Parson, though, I suppose, wants the Parrett's boat to win."
"Parson coxes for Parrett's," said Telson.
"Parrett--I mean Mr Parrett--stopped my river-play a week, sir," said
Parson, by way of explaining the circumstance; "but I've had captain's
leave to row out since, so they kept me in the boat."
This sporting conversation went on for some time longer, Mrs Patrick
not venturing again to join in. At last the doctor broke up the
conference of his own accord, and our two heroes, once more adrift, went
out for a lounge in the hall, as they explained, to cool themselves, but
really to be at hand for a bolt into the supper-room whenever the happy
moment should arrive.
It did arrive after what seemed to be a week's suspense and then the
hardships and perils of the evening were fully compensated for. The two
friends got into a snug corner, "far from the madding crowd," where, to
put it mildly, they spent a very busy half-hour. They managed it well.
Neither boy helped himself--he wouldn't be so greedy; but each helped
the other. When Telson saw Parson's plate getting empty of sandwiches,
he most attentively fetched him a clean one with a trifle on it; and
when Telson had finally got through his jellies (for he had more than
one) it was Parson's brotherly hand which assisted him to an ice!
As they sat there they positively wished Brown's "pa and ma" gave a
party once a week!
But all good things come to an end, and so did this grand party. Guests
began to depart, and among the earliest were the doctor and his ladies.
The doctor came up to the boys, and said, kindly, "We're driving up; you
two had better come with us, there's plenty of room on the box. Now, my
love--now, Miss Stringer."
Miss Stringer! Telson nearly fainted as he saw who it was who answered
to the name.
"Let's walk up," he said, entreatingly, to Parson.
"I don't mind, only Paddy--"
"Now then, boys," cried the doctor, "there's room for one inside.
Telson, will you come?"
Telson bounded up on to the box without another word, and Parson beside
him, and the fly drove off.
"Oh, Parson, old man, I'm a gone coon!" exclaimed Telson, in tones of
abject misery, as soon as they were clear of the Browns' premises.
"Why, what's up?"
"Miss Stringer!"
"What about her? Isn't she a cad, eh?"
"Yes, and _I told her so_," groaned Telson; "I didn't know who she was,
and I said--"
"Hullo, I say, look there!" exclaimed Parson, suddenly catching his
friend by the arm.
They were passing the Aquarium, which at that moment was disgorging its
visitors. Among those who emerged exactly as the doctor's fly passed
were three boys, whom Telson and Parson recognised in a moment.
They were Silk and Gilks and another younger boy, who seemed to shrink
from observation, and whose head was turned another way as the fly
passed. The three, immediately on gaining the street, started to run
towards Willoughby ahead of the fly.
The two boys on the box pulled their caps over their eyes, and said not
a word till the truants were clear. Then Telson said, "That was young
Wyndham!"
"I know. I wonder if Paddy saw them?"
"Shouldn't think so. And they didn't see us. I say, will they get in
before us?"
"It'll be a shave if they do. What a row there'll be if they don't!"
It was a curious thing that almost immediately after this short dialogue
Telson's cap fell off into the road, and the fly had to be pulled up
while he and Parson got down and looked for it. It was a dark night,
and the cap took some time to find. When finally it was recovered, and
progress was resumed, full five minutes had been lost over the search,
by which time the truants had got a clear half-mile to the good, and
were safe.