He little thought that the laugh in her eyes was at
his complacent ignorance of his own son's narrow escape.
Allen was at home for Easter, when Eton gave longer holidays than did
St. Kenelm, so that his brothers were at work again long before he
was. One afternoon, which had ended in a soaking mist, the two pairs
of Roberts and Johns encountered him at the Folly gate so disguised
in mud that they hardly recognised the dainty Etonian.
"That brute Barnes," he ejaculated; "I had to come miles round
through a disgusting lane. I wish I had gone on. I'd have proved
the right of way if he chose to prosecute me!"
"Father says that's no go," said Robin.
"I say, Allen, what a guy you are," added Johnny.
"And he's got his swell trousers on," cried Jock, capering with glee.
"I see," gravely observed Bobus, "he had got himself up regardless of
expense for his Undine, and she has treated him to another dose of
her native element.
"She had nothing to do with it," asseverated Allen, "she was as good
as gold—-"
"Ah! I knew he wasn't figged out for nothing," put in Jock.
"Don't be ashamed, Ali, my boy," added Bobus. "We all understand her
little tokens."
"Stop that!" cried Allen, catching hold of Jock's ear so as to end
his war-dance in a howl, bringing the ponderous Rob to the rescue,
and there was a general melee, ending by all the five rolling
promiscuously on the gravel drive.
Pages:
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226