Part 5 (1/2)
”There, I thought so. Where's your three to one, now? The c.o.c.kneys are out of this event, any way. Go on, Universities, and order their suppers!”
”But which is first, sir?” asked Julia imploringly. ”Oh, which is first of all?”
”Neither. Never mind; it looks well. London is pumped; and if Cambridge can't lead him before this turn in the river, the race will be ours.
Now, look out! By Jove, we are _ahead!_”
The leading boats came on, Oxford pulling a long, lofty, st.u.r.dy stroke, that seemed as if it never could compete with the quick action of its compet.i.tor. Yet it was undeniably ahead, and gaining at every swing.
Young Hardie writhed on his perch. He screeched at them across the Thames, ”Well pulled, Stroke! Well pulled all! Splendidly pulled, Dodd!
You are walking away from them altogether. Hurrah, Oxford for ever, hurrah!” The gun went off over the heads of the Oxford crew in advance, and even Mrs. Dodd and Julia could see the race was theirs.
”We have won at last,” cried Julia, all on fire, ”and fairly; only think of that!”
Hardie turned round, grateful to beauty for siding with his university.
”Yes, and the fools may thank me; or rather my man, Dodd. Dodd for ever!
Hurrah!”
At this climax even Mrs. Dodd took a gentle share in the youthful enthusiasm that was boiling around her, and her soft eyes sparkled, and she returned the fervid pressure of her daughter's hand; and both their faces were flushed with gratified pride and affection.
”Dodd!” broke in ”the incongruous dog,” with a voice just like a saw's.
”Dodd? Ah, that's the man who is just ploughed for smalls.”
Ice has its thunderbolts.
CHAPTER II
WINNING boat-races was all very fine; but a hundred such victories could not compensate Mr. Kennet's female hearers for one such defeat as he had announced--a defeat that, to their minds, carried disgrace. Their Edward plucked! At first they were benumbed, and sat chilled, with red cheeks, bewildered between present triumph and mortification at hand. Then the colour ebbed out of their faces, and they encouraged each other feebly in whispers, ”Might it not be a mistake?”
But unconscious Kennet robbed them of this timid hope. He was now in his element, knew all about it, rushed into details, and sawed away all doubt from their minds. The sum was this. Dodd's general performance was mediocre, but pa.s.sable; he was plucked for his Logic. Hardie said he was very sorry for it. ”What does it matter?” answered Kennet; ”he is a boating-man.
”Well, and I am a boating-man. Why, you told me yourself, the other day, poor Dodd was anxious about it on account of his friends. And, by-the-bye, that reminds me they say he has got two pretty sisters here.”
Says Kennet briskly, ”I'll go and tell him; I know him just to speak to.”
”What! doesn't he know?”
”How can he know?” said Kennet jealously; ”the testamumrs were only just out as I came away.” And within this line started on his congenial errand.
Hardie took two or three of his long strides, and fairly collared him.
”You will do nothing of the kind.”
”What, not tell a man when he's ploughed? That is a good joke.”
”No. There's time enough. Tell him after chapel to-morrow, or in chapel if you must; but why poison his triumphal cup? And his sisters, too, why spoil their pleasure? Hang it all, not a word about 'ploughing' to any living soul to-day.”
To his surprise, Kennet's face expressed no sympathy, nor even bare a.s.sent. At this Hardie lost patience, and burst out impetuously, ”Take care how you refuse me; take care how you thwart me in this. He is the best-natured fellow in college. It doesn't matter to you, and it does to him; and if you _do,_ then take my name off the list of your acquaintance, for I'll never speak a word to you again in this world; no, not on my death-bed, by Heaven!”