Here is a tale of two school-boys who made a pact of loyalty.
One of them kept it -- at a price.
The World of Youth.
"I wish you had more sons like Roddy to send us, Sir Thomas."
Darling boy I'll be alone at the shop after six do came Love, Mabel
RAYNFORD SCHOLARSHIP All entries for the above leaving-scholarship must
be handed to the bursar not later than feb 22nd.
"Certanly, Tim - and if you get it, I may be able to afford to send you to Oxford."
"This is my sister, sir."
"... ad tuam gloriam utamur, per Jesum Christum, Dominum nostrum."
Darling boy I'll be alone at the shop after six do came Love, Mabel
We close on wednesday at 1 O'clock
"... and he has been appointed Captain of the School for the ensuing year."
Honour
We close at one on wednesdays
We close at one on wednesdays.
"The Headmaster wants you in his study."
"You, too."
"You boys can no doubt guess why I have sent for you."
"This girl has brought a charge - a most serious charge."
"Which boy is it?"
"Wakeley, you can go."
We close at one on wednesday at 1.O'clock
"His father's rolling in money he's got to see me through it!"
"Have you nothing to say, my boy?"
"In the circumstances, Berwick, you cannot remain here another night."
"I couldn't speak, Roddy. My scholarship -- it would have broken Dad's heart."
"I know. That's why I kept silent."
"You needn't be afraid. I won't sneak."
"I- I've come back early for a special reason, Mother."
"I've heard great things about you, my boy."
"Term doesn't end for another week. Why have you come home?"
"That waitress, the day of the match? That servant-girl?"
"Expelled!"
"But, father, I swear I did nothing -"
"LIAR!"
"Do you think I'm going to stay here, after being called a liar?"
So the pact was kept -- at a price.
The world of make-believe.
"You forgot your cigarette-case again to-night."
"I - I never wear an overcoat -"
"Why, you silly boy, I believe you're falling in love with me."
Another cloak? Do you want to ruin me?
Dear sir, As administrators of the estate of the late Mrs. Claude Hudson, your God-mother, we have to inform you
that you have been left a legacy of thirty thousand pounds (30,000), unconditionally.
30,000
SUPPER?
"Hullo! Come in for some money?"
"They're yours, dear boy. Regard them as an entrance fee."
FAMOUS ACTRESS WEDS. Miss Julia Forheringale, the well-known actress,
who was married in London yesterday to Mr. Roddy Berwick.
"Au revoir."
30,000
"better send them to your own bank before the crash comes."
Two hundred and twelve pounds.
"Get out - both of you!"
"You made the flat over to me so you can get out yourself!"
The world of lost Illusions.
Madame la patronne, expert in human nature.
"There is a nice English boy, very cheap at fifty frances a dance."
"That will make you owing me forty-five now."
"... and very cheap at fifty frances a dance."
"You poor boy, how did you come down to -- this?"
"It sometimes helps - to talk. Why not tell me - - I shall understand."
"... and then I married, and that was the worst mess of all."
"I don't know why I am telling you all this -"
"You seem different, somehow among all this artificiality-"
Searching, relentless sun-light.
Downhill - till what was left of him was thrown to the rats of a Marseilles dockside.
"Best take him back to London this trip. He got friends there mebbe they give you something."
"You've got to take me back, father, you've got to take me back!"
"He's dotty - he's seein' things."
Dear Tim, I am done for. If even you get this it will mean that I'm dead
a buried. But I want you to know that I've kept my promise. Roddy
After five days and nights in a world of delirium.
Blind instict led him home.
"Sir Thomas is out, Master Roddy, and your mother."
"I have been searching for you, my boy - to ask your pardon. I know everthing."
"Roddy, can you ever forgive me?"
The old boys' match.
The End