The Club; A grim Story of Change.
1. It was the beginning of the Club season. "I shall be glad to see all the boys again after all these weeks!" murmured Clubber, as Mrs. C. packed him up.
2. "Ah! How are you, dear old boy?" shouted the Clubites, hysterical with affectionate yearning.
3. "Magnificent reciter Foodle is, to be sure!" they murmured, in an ecstatic dream of enthusiasm. "Brav O! Splendid, dear old boy!!"
4. And when they parted at the end of the evening, they breathed fervently, "Good night, old fellow—bless you!"* * * * *
5. It was the middle of the Club season. "Hum, Foodle's recitations are always so long-winded. Great mistake," they muttered to themselves. "And the other fellows are a bit slow, after all."
6. And when they parted at the end of the evening, they just nodded.* * *
7. It was the end of the Club season. "Well, if you want my opinion," said Clubber, "that Foodle's a beastly poor reciter." "I don't want your opinion; nobody does," said Rubber. "But you happen to be right for once."
8. "I'm not going to recite to you idiots," said Foodle. "It's a waste of breath." "Much relieved to hear it!" said Groodle.
9. "I'm precious glad to get away from that maddening set of chuckle-headed bores for a few weeks!" said Clubber, as Mrs. C. unpacked him.