The Adventures of a Three-Guinea Watch

  CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

  HOW GEORGE READER WENT UP FOR HIS FINAL EXAMINATION AND LEFT ME BEHINDHIM.

  "Old man, you're overdoing it!"

  These words were uttered by Jim Halliday, one evening two years afterthe events related in our last chapter, to his friend George Reader, asthe two sat together in Jim's rooms at Saint George's.

  Time had wrought changes with both. My master had secured thescholarship for which he had worked so hard during his first year'sresidence, and no longer inhabited the "Mouse-trap." His presentquarters were the rooms immediately above those in which he was at thismoment sitting, and it is hardly necessary to say that the two friendswere constantly in one another's society. George, though stillretaining much of his shyness, had made many acquaintances at hiscollege, but Jim was his only friend. The two had their meals together,attended lectures together, worked together, and, though a greatercontrast in all respects could hardly have been possible, were fairlyinseparable.

  At the present moment they were both working hard for the grand Triposexamination which was to close their college career. Every one saidGeorge would stand high in this, and Jim (since he had taken to hardreading) was expected to pass too, though how, none of his friends caredto prophesy.

  They were working hard on the evening in question, when Jim, suddenlyshutting up his books and pushing back his chair, exclaimed,--

  "Old man, you're overdoing it!"

  George looked up from his work, surprised at the interruption. Alas!his pale face and sunken eyes testified only too forcibly to hisfriend's protest. I, who knew him best, and saw him at all times, hadwatched with grief the steady and persistent undermining of his health,at no times robust, and dreaded to think what might be the result ofthis protracted strain on his constitution.

  "I tell you, you're overdoing it, old man, and you must pull up!"

  "Suppose we talk of that afterwards," said George.

  "Not at all," retorted the dogged Jim; "just shut up your books, Reader,and listen to me."

  "I'll listen to you, Jim, but don't make me shut up my books. What haveyou got to say?"

  "Just this; you're doing too much. I can see it. Everybody can see it.Do you think I can't see your eyes and your cheeks? Do you think Ican't hear you blowing like--"

  "Really--" began George.

  "Listen to me!" went on Jim--"blowing like an old broken-winded horse?Yes, you may laugh, but I mean it. Do you think I don't know you'venever been out of doors ten minutes that you could help for six months?and that you have even given up the organ?"

  "That's true," groaned George, leaning back in his chair.

  "Of course it's true, and it's equally true that you'll smash upaltogether if this goes on much longer. Then what will be the use ofall your achievements? What will be the good of them to your father andmother, for instance, when you are knocked up?"

  "I _must_ work up to the Tripos now," pleaded George, "it's only afortnight."

  "My dear fellow, how you talk! As if you weren't certain of a firstclass even if you were not to look at another book between now andthen."

  "I'm not at all certain," said George, anxiously.

  "Yes you are, and if you hadn't worked yourself into an unhealthy,morbid state you would know it. No, old fellow, we've never quarrelledyet, and don't let us begin."

  "Certainly not. Why should we?"

  "We shall if I don't get my way. Now tell me, what time did you go tobed last night?"

  "Three, I believe."

  "No, it wasn't, it was four, for I heard you over head; and the nightbefore it was three; and the night before that, if I mistake not, youdidn't go to bed at all. Eh?"

  George smiled, but said nothing.

  "Well," said Jim, putting down his foot, "this must be stopped. You maywork till ten every night, but then you _must_ go to bed, or you and Iwill fall out."

  Jim looked so grave as he said this that George was bound to take it inthe earnest way in which it was meant. A long argument ensued. Georgepleaded, Jim bullied, and at last my master was obliged to promise togive over work at twelve every night for the next fortnight. But morehe would not promise. No persuasions could tempt him out of doors formore than a hurried five minutes' walk, or induce him to yield to thefascinations of the organ. As the days went on, too, he grew more andmore despondent about his own chances, and implored more than once to bereleased from his promise. But Jim was inflexible, and held him grimlyto his engagement.

  "You're certain to be among the first three," he said, over and overagain, "and if you'll only give yourself two days' rest you may befirst."

  "Yes, of the third class," mournfully replied my master. "I tell youwhat, Jim, it isn't fair to bind me down to a promise I made almostunder compulsion, and for fear of making you angry."

  "It's quite fair, and you would make me angry if you didn't stick to it.Why, my dear fellow, has it ever occurred to you I'm in for the sameTripos as you, and I'm not behaving as ridiculously as you?"

  "You are safe to be in the second class," said George.

  "I wish I were as safe of a second as you are of a first; but I wouldn'tkill myself to be senior classic."

  "You forget how important it is for me to take a good place."

  "It is far more important to retain your health."

  "Think what a difference it would make at home if I got a fellowship."

  "What a difference it would make if you had to go to a hospital."

  "What a pity, when I have the chance, not to use it."

  "What a pity, when you have the chance, to throw it away by knockingyourself up."

  "Surely four days can't make any difference."

  "Then why not stop work now and take a rest?"

  It was plain to see these two would never agree, and so the time went onuntil the date of the examination arrived.

  The night before the two friends met in George's room. George was inlow spirits, nervous and fretful. It was plain to see his friend'sprotest had come too late to be of much use, for he had grown more andmore worn every day; and the additional hours spent in bed had only beena source of worry and vexation. Jim, on the other hand, was doing hisbest to keep up, not his own spirits only, but those of his friend. Hischances of a second class were as momentous to him (though he would notadmit it) as his friend's of a first, and he too was experiencing,though in a less degree, that heart-sinking which so often characterisesthe eve of an examination.

  "You are not going to work to-night?" said he to my master.

  "I think I must," said George, wearily, and putting his hand to hisforehead.

  "It can't be any earthly good now," said Jim, "so let's forget all aboutit for a bit and talk of something else."

  Forget all about it! George smiled in a melancholy way at the words;but nevertheless he was not well enough to contest the point. "And bythe way," added Jim, cheerily, "I've got a letter from Newcome (youremember Newcome, George, the man who played for Sandhurst against ustwo years ago) I think you'll like to hear."

  There was one in the room, whether George liked it or not, who was dyingto hear it!

  "He's just gone out to India, you know, to join his regiment."

  "Here's his letter," he said, producing it and nervously glancing atGeorge to see if he appeared interested. "Shall I read it?"

  "Yes, please," said George, slowly.

  "It's not a long one. `Dear Jim,' he says, `I wish you were out herewith all my heart. I should at least have one fellow to talk to amongall these strangers. I had a decent enough passage. Father Ocean wason his good behaviour, and the vessel was a snug one. We came in forrough weather in the Persian Gulf, but it didn't afflict me much, and Ilanded here two days ago, safe and sound. I reported myself to ourcolonel yesterday and was introduced to my fellow-officers. Some ofthem are decent fellows, though perhaps hardly in your and my line. Ihad been told the officers of our regiment were a rackety lot, but Idon't see much sign of that yet. It's awfully dull he
re, and I wouldgive a lot to be up in your rooms at George's, sprawling in your easy-chair and talking over Randlebury days. I suppose you will soon be infor your final. Good luck be with you, my boy! Remember me in yourwill if you get made a Fellow. I suppose the man I met in your roomsonce--Read I believe his name was--will be first. Talking of that day,have you heard lately of Tom Drift? I shall always be glad I went up totown that night and found him out, though I lost him again so soon. Iinquired everywhere when I was last in town, but nothing was known ofhim, except that he was supposed to have been engaged in some--' Butthat's all about an old schoolfellow and won't interest you. `We expectto be ordered up-country pretty soon now, and meanwhile have liberty toamuse ourselves pretty much as we like, but, as far as I can see, cardsunfortunately seem the only recreation in which the officers indulge.However, I shall be kept busy with drill, and being junior officerexpect I shall be for some time fag of the regiment. Mind you write assoon as ever you get this, and a regular yarn. I have had to write thisin a hurry, and in a room where a noise is going on. By next mail youshall get a full, true, and particular account of all the doings,sayings, and adventures of yours as ever, C.N.'

  "I'm afraid," said Jim, as he folded up the letter, "it will be ratherdull out there, for--hullo!"

  This ejaculation was caused by seeing that George was sitting motionlesswith his elbows on the table and his face buried in his hands.

  "What's the matter?" he said, getting up and laying his hand on hisfriend's arm.

  George looked up suddenly with a scared face, which frightened Jim.

  "Old man, aren't you well?" said the latter anxiously.

  "Eh?--oh, yes! I'm all right. Why--why do you ask? But I say, Jim,this room is close. Let's go out and take a turn in the big court."

  Jim, in sore perplexity, complied, and for an hour those two paced theflags round the great quadrangle. George was himself again, much toJim's relief, and suffered himself to be sent uncomplainingly to bed atten. To bed, but not to sleep. All night long I heard him toss to andfro, vainly endeavouring to recall Greek and Latin lines or some otherfragment of his studies. At about six he dozed fitfully for an hour,and then came the knock at the door which summoned him from his bed tothe first day of his ordeal.

  I would rather not dwell on those examination days, for I could tell, ifno one else could, that my master was really ill, and was only preventedby sheer excitement from succumbing at any moment. As day by day passedI could see the effort becoming more and more difficult. The nightswere worse than the days--sleepless, feverish, distracted. It wasevident this could not go on for long.

  The last day of the examination arrived, and my master was in his usualplace in the Senate House. His pen flew swiftly all the morning alongthe paper, and one by one, a triumphant tick was set against the printedquestions before him. I could see no one as well employed as he. Jim,at a distant desk, was biting the end of his pen and looking up at theceiling; other men sat back in their seats and stared with knitted browsat the paper before them; others buried their fingers in their hair andlooked the picture of despair. But still my master wrote on. It wantedhalf an hour to the time of closing when he reached the last question onthe paper. I saw his lips curl into a smile as he dashed his pen intothe ink and began to write. Then suddenly it dropped from his fingers,and his hands were clasped to his forehead. He made no motion anduttered no cry; men went on with their work on each side of him, andprofessors at their desks never turned his way. I looked wildly towardsJim; he sat there, biting the end of his pen and scowling at thequestion before him, but for a long time never looked our way. At lasthis head turned, and in an instant he was at his friend's side. Otherscame round too and offered help. Among them my poor master was bornefrom the hall and carried to his rooms, and that evening it was knownall over the University that Reader, of George's, had been taken illduring the Tripos examination, and now lay delirious in his rooms incollege.

  Every one believed the attack was but a slight one, but I feared theworst; I knew how systematically and fatally my master's constitutionhad been undermined by the work of the last three years, and felt sureit could never rally from the fierce fever which had laid him low. Andit never did. The fever left him in due time, and his mind ceased towander, but every hour his strength failed him. His parents and Jim,and sometimes his old friend the rector, would constantly be about hisbed, and to all of them it soon became evident what little hope therewas of his recovery. Indeed, he must have guessed it too!

  One day, as Jim sat with him, a faint shout was heard below in thequadrangle.

  "What's that?" inquired George.

  "I'll see," said Jim, and he went lightly from the room.

  Presently he returned with a face almost beaming.

  "It's good news," he said; "they were reading the result of the Tripos."

  "And where are you?" asked George.

  "_You_ are first!" said Jim, proudly.

  "Where are you?" repeated George.

  "I am twelfth."

  "In the first class?"

  "Yes."

  "That is good news, old fellow!"

  "That shout was in your honour, you know; our college is as proud asanything to have the first man."

  George smiled feebly, and for a long time both were silent.

  Then George said,--

  "You were right, Jim, after all. If I had listened to you I should havebeen wiser."

  "Never mind, old man, you'll know better another time."

  "I shall never have the chance, Jim."

  "Don't say that, George; every one hopes you'll get better."

  George smiled again, then said,--

  "Jim, you will look after my father and mother, won't you? You knowI've got a little money now, and they will be comfortably off, butyou'll go and see them now and then?"

  Jim laid his hand on the wasted hand of his friend.

  "And, Jim, I want you to take my watch when I'm gone. I always valuedit as much as anything, and I'd like you to have it."

  Poor Jim could say nothing, he only gave another pressure of hisfriend's hand.

  Then presently Mrs Reader returned to the room, and he slipped away.

  The end was not long in coming. One afternoon as the four friends heloved most stood round his bed, George opened his eyes, and said,--

  "Listen!"

  "What is it, lad?" whispered the father.

  "An organ--somewhere--open the window."

  They opened the window, but the only music out there was the chirping ofbirds in the trees, and the distant footfalls of passers-by.

  "Listen, there it is!" he said again.

  "What is it playing?" asked the clergyman.

  "A new tune."

  And almost as he spoke the words, he closed his eyes for the last timeon earth.