the ragged trousered philanthropists-第37章

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‘Well；　'ere's　the　skin　orf　yer　nose；'　said　Crass；　nodding　to　Philpot；　and　taking　a　long　pull　at　the　pint　glass　which　the　latter　had　handed　to　him。

Similar　appropriate　and　friendly　sentiments　were　expressed　by　the　others　and　suitably　acknowledged　by　Philpot；　the　founder　of　the　feast。

The　Old　Dear　now　put　a　penny　in　the　slot　of　the　polyphone；　and　winding　it　up　started　it　playing。　It　was　some　unfamiliar　tune；　but　when　the　Semi…drunk　Painter　heard　it　he　rose　unsteadily　to　his　feet　and　began　shuffling　and　dancing　about；　singing：

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　'Oh；　we'll　inwite　you　to　the　wedding；　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　An'　we'll　'ave　a　glorious　time！　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Where　the　boys　an'　girls　is　a…dancing；　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　An'　we'll　all　get　drunk　on　wine。'

‘'Ere！　that's　quite　enough　o'　that！'　cried　the　landlord；　roughly。　　‘We　don't　want　that　row　'ere。'

The　Semi…drunk　stopped；　and　looking　stupidly　at　the　Old　Dear；　sank　abashed　on　to　the　seat　again。

‘Well；　we　may　as　well　sit　as　stand　…　for　a　few　minutes；'　remarked　Crass；　suiting　the　action　to　the　word。　　The　others　followed　his　example。

At　frequent　intervals　the　bar　was　entered　by　fresh　customers；　most　of　them　working　men　on　their　way　home；　who　ordered　and　drank　their　pint　or　half…pint　of　ale　or　porter　and　left　at　once。　　Bundy　began　reading　the　advertisement　of　the　circus　and　menageries　and　a　conversation　ensued　concerning　the　wonderful　performances　of　the　trained　animals。　The　Old　Dear　said　that　some　of　them　had　as　much　sense　as　human　beings；　and　the　manner　with　which　he　made　this　statement　implied　that　he　thought　it　was　a　testimonial　to　the　sagacity　of　the　brutes。　　He　further　said　that　he　had　heard　…　a　little　earlier　in　the　evening　…　a　rumour　that　one　of　the　wild　animals；　a　bear　or　something；　had　broken　loose　and　was　at　present　at　large。　　This　was　what　he　had　heard　…　he　didn't　know　if　it　were　true　or　not。　　For　his　own　part　he　didn't　believe　it；　and　his　hearers　agreed　that　it　was　highly　improbable。　Nobody　ever　knew　how　these　silly　yarns　got　about。

Presently　the　Besotted　Wretch　got　up　and；　taking　the　india…rubber　rings　out　of　the　net　with　a　trembling　hand；　began　throwing　them　one　at　a　time　at　the　hooks　on　the。　board。　　The　rest　of　the　company　watched　him　with　much　interest；　laughing　when　he　made　a　very　bad　shot　and　applauding　when　he　scored。

‘'E's　a　bit　orf　tonight；'　remarked　Philpot　aside　to　Easton；　'but　as　a　rule　'e's　a　fair　knockout　at　it。　　Throws　a　splendid　ring。'

The　Semidrunk　regarded　the　proceedings　of　the　Besotted　Wretch　with　an　expression　of　profound　contempt。

‘You　can't　play　for　nuts；'　he　said　scornfully。

‘Can't　I？　　I　can　play　you；　anyway。'

‘Right　you　are！　　I'll　play　you　for　drinks　round！'　cried　the　Semi…drunk。

For　a　moment　the　Besotted　Wretch　hesitated。　　He　had　not　money　enough　to　pay　for　drinks　round。　　However；　feeling　confident　of　winning；　he　replied：

‘Come　on　then。　　What's　it　to　be？　　Fifty　up？'

‘Anything　you　like！　　Fifty　or　a　'undred　or　a　bloody　million！'

‘Better　make　it　fifty　for　a　start。'

‘All　right！'

‘You　play　first　if　you　like。'

‘All　right；'　agreed　the　Semi…drunk；　anxious　to　distinguish　himself。　Holding　the　six　rings　in　his　left　hand；　the　man　stood　in　the　middle　of　the　floor　at　a　distance　of　about　three　yards　from　the　board；　with　his　right　foot　advanced。　　Taking　one　of　the　rings　between　the　forefinger　and　thumb　of　his　right　hand；　and　closing　his　left　eye；　he　carefully　‘sighted'　the　centre　hook；　No。　13；　then　he　slowly　extended　his　arm　to　its　full　length　in　the　direction　of　the　board：　then　bending　his　elbow；　he　brought　his　hand　back　again　until　it　nearly　touched　his　chin；　and　slowly　extended　his　arm　again。　　He　repeated　these　movements　several　times；　whilst　the　others　watched　with　bated　breath。　　Getting　it　right　at　last　he　suddenly　shot　the　ring　at　the　board；　but　it　did　not　go　on　No。　13；　it　went　over　the　partition　into　the　private　bar。

This　feat　was　greeted　with　a　roar　of　laughter。　　The　player　stared　at　the　board　in　a　dazed　way；　wondering　what　had　become　of　the　ring。　　When　someone　in　the　next　bar　threw　it　over　the　partition　again；　he　realized　what　had　happened　and；　turning　to　the　company　with　a　sickly　smile；　remarked：

‘I　ain't　got　properly　used　to　this　board　yet：　that's　the　reason　of　it。'

He　now　began　throwing　the　other　rings　at　the　board　rather　wildly；　without　troubling　to　take　aim。　　One　struck　the　partition　to　the　right　of　the　board：　one　to　the　left：　one　underneath：　one　went　over　the　counter；　one　on　the　floor；　the　other　…　the　last　…　hit　the　board；　and　amid　a　shout　of　applause；　caught　on　the　centre　hook　No。　13；　the　highest　number　it　was　possible　to　scare　with　a　single　throw。

‘I　shall　be　all　right　now　that　I've　got　the　range；'　observed　the　Semi…　drunk　as　he　made　way　for　his　opponent。

‘You'll　see　something　now；'　whispered　Philpot　to　Easton。　'This　bloke　is　a　dandy！'

The　Besotted　Wretch　took　up　his　position　and　with　an　affectation　of　carelessness　began　throwing　the　rings。　　It　was　really　a　remarkable　exhibition；　for　notwithstanding　the　fact　that　his　hand　trembled　like　the　proverbial　aspen　leaf；　he　succeeded　in　striking　the　board　almost　in　the　centre　every　time；　but　somehow　or　other　most　of　them　failed　to　catch　on　the　hooks　and　fell　into　the　net。　　When　he　finished　his　innings；　he　had　only　scored　4；　two　of　the　rings　having　caught　on　the　No。　2　hook。

‘'Ard　lines；'　remarked　Bundy　as　he　finished　his　beer　and　put　the　glass　down　on　the　counter。

‘Drink　up　and　'ave　another；'　said　Easton　as　he　drained　his　own　glass。

‘I　don't　mind　if　I　do；'　replied　Crass；　pouring　what　remained　of　the　pint　down　his　throat。

Philpot's　glass　had　been　empty　for　some　time。

‘Same　again；'　said　Easton；　addressing　the　Old　Dear　and　putting　six　pennies　on　the　counter。

By　this　time　the　Semi…drunk　had　again　opened　fire　on　the　board；　but　he　seemed　to　have　lost　the　range；　for　none　of　the　rings　scored。

They　flew　all　over　the　place；　and　he　finished　his　innings　without　increasing　his　total。

The　Besotted　Wretch　now　sailed　in　and　speedily　piled　up　37。　　Then　the　Semi…drunk　had　another　go；　and　succeeded　in　getting　8。　　His　case　appeared　hopeless；　but　his　opponent　in　his　next　innings　seemed　to　go　all　to　pieces。　　Twice　he　missed　the　board　altogether；　and　when　he　did　hit　it　he　failed　to　score；　until　the　very　last　throw；　when　he　made　1。　Then　the　Semi…drunk　went　in　again　and　got　10。

The　scores　were　now：

　　　　　　　　Besotted　Wretch　。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。　42　　　　　　　　　Semi…drunk　。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。　31

So　far　it　was　impossible　to　foresee　the　end。　　It　was　anybody's　game。　Crass　became　so　excited　that　he　absentmindedly　opened　his　mouth　and　shot　his　second　pint　down　into　his　stomach　with　a　single　gulp；　and　Bundy　also　drained　his　glass　and　called　upon　Philpot　and　Easton　to　drink　up　and　have　another；　which　they　accordingly　did。

While　the　Semi…drunk　was　having　his　next　innings；　the　Besotted　Wretch　placed　a　penny　on　the　counter　and　called　for　a　half　a　pint；　which　he　drank　in　the　hope　of　steadying　his　nerves　for　a　great　effort。　　His　opponent　meanwhile　threw　the　rings　at　the　board　and　missed　it　every　time；　but　all　the　same　he　scored；　for　one　ring；　after　striking　the　partition　about　a　foot　above　the　board；　fell　down　and　caught　on　the　hook。

The　other　man　now　began　his　innings；　playing　very　carefully；　and　nearly　every　ring　scored。　As　he　played；　the　others　uttered　exclamations　of　admiration　and　called　out　the　result　of　every　throw。

‘One！'

‘One　again！'

‘Miss！　　No！　　Got　'im！　　Two！'

‘Miss！'

‘Miss！'

‘Four！'

The　Semi…drunk　accepted　his　defeat　with　a　good　grace；　and　after　explaining　that　he　was　a　bit　out　of　practice；　placed　a　shilling　on　the　counter　and　invited　the　company　to　give　their　orders。　　Everyone　asked　for　‘the　same　again；'　but　the　landlord　served　Easton；　Bundy　and　the　Besotted　Wretch　with　pints　instead　of　half…pints　as　before；　so　there　was　no　change　out　of　the　shilling。

‘You　know；　there's　a　great　deal　in　not　bein'　used　to　the　board；'　said　the　Semi…drunk。

‘There's　no　disgrace　in　bein'　beat　by　a　man　like　'im；　mate；'　said　Philpot。　　‘'E's　a　champion！'

‘Yes；　there's　no　mistake　about　it。　　'E　throws　a　splendid　ring！'　said　Bundy。

This　was　the　general　verdict。　　The　Semi…drunk；　though　beaten；　was　not　disgraced：　and　he　was　so　affected　by　the　good　feeling　manifested　by　the　company　that　he　presently　produced　a　sixpence　and　insisted　on　paying　for　another　half…pint　all　round。

Crass　had　gone　outside　during　this　conversation；　but　he　returned　in　a　few　minutes。　　‘I　feel　a　bit　easier　now；'　he　remarked　with　a　laugh　as　he　took　the　half…pint　glass　that　the　Semi…drunk　passed　to　him　with　a　shaking　hand。　　One　after　the　other；　within　a　few　minutes；　the　rest　followed　Crass's　example；　going　outside　and　returning　almost　immediately：　and　as　Bundy；　who　was　the　last　to　return；　came　back　he　exclaimed：

‘Let's　'ave　a　game　of　shove…'a'penny。'

‘All　right；'　said　Easton；　who　was　beginning　to　feel　reckless。　　‘But　drink　up　first；　and　let's　'ave　another。'

He　had　only　sevenpence　left；　just　enough　to　pay　for　another　pint　for　Crass　and　half　a　pint　for　everyone　else。

The　shove…ha'penny　table　was　a　planed　mahogany　board　with　a　number　of　parallel　lines　scored　across　it。　　The　game　is　played　by　placing　the　coin　at　the　end　of　the　board　…　the　rim　slightly　overhanging　the　edge　…　and　striking　it　with　the　back　part　of　the　palm　of　the　hand；　regulating　the　force　of　the　blow　according　to　the　distance　it　is　desired　to　drive　the　coin。

‘What's　become　of　Alf　tonight？'　inquired　Philpot　of　the　landlord　whilst　Easton　and　Bundy　were　playing。　　Alf　was　the　barman。

‘'E's　doing　a　bit　of　a　job　down　in　the　cellar；　some　of　the　valves　gone　a　bit　wrong。　　But　the　missus　is　comin'　down　to　lend　me　a　hand　presently。　　'Ere　she　is　now。'

The　landlady　…　who　at　this　moment　entered　through　the　door　at　the　back　of　the　bar　…　was　a　large　woman　with　a　highly…coloured　countenance　and　a　tremendous　bust；　incased　in　a　black　dress　with　a　shot　silk　blouse。　She　had　several　jewelled　gold　rings　on　the　fingers　of　each　fat　white　hand；　and　a　long　gold　watch　guard　hung　round　her　fat　neck。　　She　greeted　Crass　and　Philpot　with　condescension；　smiling　affably　upon　them。

Meantime　the　game　of　shove…ha'penny　proceeded　merrily；　the　Semi…drunk　taking　a　great　interest　in　it　and　tendering　advice　to　both　players　impartially。　　Bundy　was　badly　beaten；　and　then　Easton　suggested　that　it　was　time　to　think　of　going　home。　　This　proposal　…　slightly　modified　…　met　with　general　approval；　the　modification　being　suggested　by　Philpot；　who　insisted　on　standing　one　final　round　of　drinks　before　they　went。

While　they　were　pouring　this　down　their　throats；　Crass　took　a　penny　from　his　waistcoat　pocket　and　put　it　in　the　slot　of　the　polyphone。　The　landlord　put　a　fresh　disc　into　it　and　wound　it　up　and　it　began　to　play　‘The　Boys　of　the　Bulldog　Breed。'　　The　Semi…drunk　happened　to　know　the　words　of　the　chorus　of　this　song；　and　when　he　heard　the　music　he　started　unsteadily　to　his　feet　and　with　many　fierce　looks　and　gestures　began　to　roar　at　the　top　of　his　voice：

　　　　　　　　‘They　may　build　their　ships；　my　lads；　　　　　　　　　And　try　to　play　the　game；　　　　　　　　　But　they　can't　build　the　boys　of　the　Bulldog　breed；　　　　　　　　　Wot　made　ole　Hingland's　…'

‘'Ere！　Stop　that；　will　yer？'　cried　the　Old　Dear；　fiercely。　　‘I　told　you　once　before　that　I　don't　allow　th