Part 13 (1/2)
The latter glared his ene, but Tony took no heed
All trace of boredoesticulated for silence The strikers, not wholly recovered fro, the suggested vivisection, and waited for Tony to justify hi
”Comrades!” he cried, ”you seewithout a hat and in evening dress Unlooked-for events put , and it was not until the train had started that I realized my absurd costume What was I to do? Chance settled the question Chance brought hborhood, and what do I find? A good fairy, as it were, distributing clothes for nothing!” At this point a voice called for ”Cheers for the----fairy!”
which were heartily given The fairy, unused to badinage, retired from the rostruot a rise:for!” A tornado of cheers covered his corollary, ”viz, sixwas shi+fting a little in his favor now, and he swept on ”Here, I thought, is arb civilization imposes on her sons--the pampered scions of the aristocracy! You have seenof the hat was symbolical I hate the petty tras of the rich!
If you wish--if you will allow me to annex one of the admirable and useful suits of reach---I will discard the reo! My waistcoat! Even my----”
A prude cried ”Shame!” Tony seized upon the word liked a practised ranter
”Yes!” he cried warmly, ”it _is_ a shaararb May I take it that I have your assent? I put it to thethat I forthwith st--take what I want” He paused for breath, but they were dumb before this extraordinary creature He hurried on ”Carried unanimously Thank you, comrades, for this mark of appreciation and esteem Behold!” He tore off his coat and waistcoat and trod upon thee of servitude! Observe!” He discarded his nether apparel, knowing that he could not stick at trifles: the crowd's ave it time Luckily, his audacity was rewarded, for the audience roared with brutal joy at Tony's remarkable appearance
Without hesitation he snatched a suit fro the quietest he could see, talking furiously as he put it on
”And what now? See! a transformation! A man clothed in sensible dress!
Hurrah for the social revolution! Hurrah for co the means of production and distribution--especially distribution! And all the rest of the dear old claptrap,” he added sotto voce as he leaped nimbly down
In the thunderous applause that followed the ih Mr Hedderwick's, and they were allowed to ood their escape They walked in silence till they were clear of the crowd, and then Robert paused
”Mr Wild, you were simply splendid!” he said in awestruck tones
”You're one of the best chaps I've ever met”
Tony chuckled, tired but pleased
”Not a bad effort, was it? But, by jove! I was in a funk half the tian to think I ht have to use this” He pulled a revolver out of his pocket and showed it Tony croith pure joy
”Good lord, ot a _pistol_! How perfectly splendid! What on earth do you carry a pistol for? Do tell me--_please_!”
Mr Hedderalked on in silence for a ulp of decision
”Mr Wild,” he said, ”I haven't known you very long, but I seem to have known you for years What I've seen has interested me--impressed me, and I like you You know a little about me, that I'ree to my proposal I shan't tell you anyto do I think we ether than apart In any case, if we found it didn't suit we could separate If you feel like adventuring for a few days I think there may be a little fun I can't proree, I'll tell you the rest e get to The Happy Heart”
”One question,” said Tony, ”and don't be offended Do you want any ht for a htpence in et more if I wanted, but I don't mean to try, for I have no wish to be traced yet I'er or a confidence-trickster If you care to finance me till we return, so h it somehow I don't mean to miss my holiday”
Tony smiled This Hedderwick seemed an admirable fellow
”What and where is The Happy Heart?” he asked
”An inn at Shereling where I mean to stay”
”Forward, then, to The Happy Heart I wish I'd bagged some boots, too
These pumps are simply cruel”
They set out once more toward the station