"
"Well, I've no time for any oratory to-night, Philips, and that is all
about it."
"I'll give you a leg-up for Merishall in the morning if you're decently
civil."
"All right, then," said Jim, thawing instantly. "What's the matter?"
"Ever heard of Penfold?"
"No; what was the animal?"
"Well, he was the brightest and most particular star that Taylor ever
had in his house; that is, until you pitched your tent among us."
"Don't rot, Philips. What has the Penfold done?"
"Made a chemical discovery which stamps him as one of the first
half-dozen chemists in the world."
"Oh," said Jim, wearily; "most interestin', very."
"Here only ten years ago, and, 'pon honour, this was his very den."
"Have noticed the place to be stuffy," said Jim, with no enthusiasm,
"and now that is explained. Suppose he lived with his nose in books and
test-tubes?"
"And," said Philips, ignoring Jim's heavy wit, "the Fifth and Sixth Form
fellows in Taylor's think we ought to take notice of it somehow."
"Now, I wouldn't," said Cotton, critically; "I'd keep a thing like that
dark."
"You heathen!"
"If he'd pulled stroke at Cambridge, or anything like that----"
"We thought a tablet on the wall, or something of that sort, would meet
the case. Corker's dining-hall is lined with 'em."
"Get to the point," said Jim, grimly.
"A sub. of five shillings among seniors, and half a crown among the
kids, would meet the case, I think."
"And did you think I'd spring a crown for a marble tablet to a mug like
Penfold?"
"Rather," said Philips.
Pages:
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149