Part 31 (1/2)
John withdrew, and returned to Hugh.
”She's out, Hugh,” he said.
”That's all right then. We'll have a jolly time, and get it done to surprise her.”
”But what about your grand heap?”
”Stuff them in again; they can't be worse than they were.”
”I wonder if we ought to sort them out first?” said John, considering.
”I'm not going to; that would be no fun at all.”
John yielded for a moment, then he paused.
”Hugh, Agnes would be right down vexed with us, and we should deserve it. I won't do a stroke till we've cleared this.”
Hugh made a face; but when John's voice took _that_ tone it was of no use objecting, so they sorted out and put up as quickly as they could, Hugh privately s.h.i.+rking any idea of thoroughness, till about twelve o'clock order once more reigned, and the boys' spirits began to rise.
”I say,” remarked John, surveying his new domain, ”I wish I'd asked Jane to clean this while we were putting up, it looks mighty dusty and queer.”
”Well, we can't now,” said Hugh.
”No, I daresay it would take ages.”
”I can sweep it,” said Hugh; ”but that would be a hindrance; let's get in the things and they'll cover up the dirt.”
”Nice that!” remarked John; ”but as it is not _your_ room it won't matter.”
”No,” a.s.sented Hugh; ”and if it were, I should not care particularly.
Now, John, what is the first thing to do?”
”Bring up the chest of drawers.”
”That's my chest of drawers. You don't mean to say----”
”Well, what am I to do?” said John, pausing in this first difficulty; ”you can't suppose I can go without a chest of drawers.”
”No; I don't see that you can; but, then, no more can I.”
”That's unanswerable; but as there's only one, what's to be done?”
”_I_ can have it,” answered Hugh slyly; ”it belongs to my room!”
As his brother did not immediately reply, Hugh saw he had gained an advantage.
”Here's a go,” said John, looking round in dismay. ”Now I shouldn't wonder if you didn't claim the washstand too.”
”Then I _will_ claim it,” said Hugh with a wink.