DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11294#0037
DEE NETJENHEIMER.
7
"Talk sense, humph," growled Tooley, in an aggrieved tone.
" There's a lot of that knocking about this weather. Just listen to this
and tell me who's talking sense. This is a little song I've composed
about that beastly eating chap, you know. It's awfully good. I'm
going to sing it at the next " Deb. Soc." Just listen a moment."
In vain I pleaded pressure of work. Protest was useless. Tooley
could not be suppressed and began to sing (?) with that tuneless droning
voice of his, I don't know whether it was the drowsy influence of the
song, or the effect of hard work, but try as I might, I couldn't keep my
eyes open. The room spemed to gradually fade away before my eyes
and Tooley's droning grew fainter and fainter, when suddenly with a
start, consciousness returned. What was this ? Imagine my surprise to
behold a wonderful scene of bustle and animation. Where was I ? I
was not left long in doubt, however—I soon recognised the old '-Dorf
Condit," but transformed. Such a lively scene it has never beheld.
Eager faces thronged the tables; the buxom waitresses rushed breath-
less hither and thither bearing their tasty burdens. There was something
in the air. All excitement seemed to centre itself upon a large table in
the corner, and thither I turned my bewildered gaze. I rubbed my eyes.
Was I dreaming ? No ! Sure enough there were Doleful Douglas and
Meandering Mike. Yes, and there was 'Ungry Arnold. There was no
mistaking the greedy glare of his eyes. Why, of course, how dull I was.
This was the day for which we had waited eagerly. Now the mighty
contest was about to take place My bewilderment was gene. Looking
around I saw the room thronged with Nuenheimers, Seniors and Juniors,
all in a perfect fever of excitement.
There was the School " Bookie " closely shadowed by his satellite
and clerk, who looked completely done up. Even the Bookie's pallid
face was flushed and his lank}' locks were in disorder.
The Kaffir's hair stood on end and his pal Groggy in vain tried
to distract him with a funnjr (?) story. There was Lanky Larry striking
fantastic attitudes in the corner and tying his legs into knots. In
another corner sat Curlew and the Squire looking as though they were
having a facial contortion competition with one another.
Suddenly a hush fell upon the assembly and I heard the gramophone-
like tones of Putzer announcing that the contest was about to begin, and
that he had been appointed judge by mutual consent.
7
"Talk sense, humph," growled Tooley, in an aggrieved tone.
" There's a lot of that knocking about this weather. Just listen to this
and tell me who's talking sense. This is a little song I've composed
about that beastly eating chap, you know. It's awfully good. I'm
going to sing it at the next " Deb. Soc." Just listen a moment."
In vain I pleaded pressure of work. Protest was useless. Tooley
could not be suppressed and began to sing (?) with that tuneless droning
voice of his, I don't know whether it was the drowsy influence of the
song, or the effect of hard work, but try as I might, I couldn't keep my
eyes open. The room spemed to gradually fade away before my eyes
and Tooley's droning grew fainter and fainter, when suddenly with a
start, consciousness returned. What was this ? Imagine my surprise to
behold a wonderful scene of bustle and animation. Where was I ? I
was not left long in doubt, however—I soon recognised the old '-Dorf
Condit," but transformed. Such a lively scene it has never beheld.
Eager faces thronged the tables; the buxom waitresses rushed breath-
less hither and thither bearing their tasty burdens. There was something
in the air. All excitement seemed to centre itself upon a large table in
the corner, and thither I turned my bewildered gaze. I rubbed my eyes.
Was I dreaming ? No ! Sure enough there were Doleful Douglas and
Meandering Mike. Yes, and there was 'Ungry Arnold. There was no
mistaking the greedy glare of his eyes. Why, of course, how dull I was.
This was the day for which we had waited eagerly. Now the mighty
contest was about to take place My bewilderment was gene. Looking
around I saw the room thronged with Nuenheimers, Seniors and Juniors,
all in a perfect fever of excitement.
There was the School " Bookie " closely shadowed by his satellite
and clerk, who looked completely done up. Even the Bookie's pallid
face was flushed and his lank}' locks were in disorder.
The Kaffir's hair stood on end and his pal Groggy in vain tried
to distract him with a funnjr (?) story. There was Lanky Larry striking
fantastic attitudes in the corner and tying his legs into knots. In
another corner sat Curlew and the Squire looking as though they were
having a facial contortion competition with one another.
Suddenly a hush fell upon the assembly and I heard the gramophone-
like tones of Putzer announcing that the contest was about to begin, and
that he had been appointed judge by mutual consent.