Freddy however assented immediately, and we got under weigh, leaving Reggie with Accrington’s sister. After we had secured a place in the long line down the tow-path side we spent the time very pleasantly in consuming sponge rusks borrowed from a Barabbas’ man next door who had a tea-party in full swing. This same party was amalgamated with that of Hanbury, and from the bottom of his punt the Bugg suddenly bobbed up and hailed us effusively. Blitherington wanted to move on at once, but we pointed out that we should not get such a good position anywhere else, and also that the Barabbas’ rusks were very delectable.
We had been there fully five minutes when Miss Bugg gave vent to a terrible screech, and we noticed that Jacob’s back was blazing furiously with blue fire from the spirit lamp which the Bugg had upset over him. She took off her cloak and endeavoured to smother the flames, but Hanbury very unfeelingly threw Jacob into the water to the great distress of Ophelia, who screamed louder than ever. We might have had every canoe and punt in the river paddling up to ascertain who was being murdered, but Blitherington quietly drew a cushion from beneath Muriel’s head and with a well directed shot caught Ophelia in the back of the neck. This treatment appeared to soothe Miss Bugg, though the aforementioned six maiden aunts made some remark about ‘an unmannerly young cub,’ and we had to persuade the Pilot, who passed at that moment in a Canader, to take his lordship with him.
Soon after this all the first division except Thomas’ and Lichfield rowed by us, the former having bumped the latter just above the Gut. Immediately the last boat had gone by we pulled up our pole and started up stream under the energetic if erratic guidance of Freddy. When we came opposite the ’Varsity Boat-house we collided with a punt which contained three elderly ladies and a harassed-looking clergyman, punted by a meek individual who must have come from Park Temple.
Freddy, having bumped the Parson’s elbow, sheered off in the opposite direction and ran into the stern of a canoe, the owner of which quietly ladled a few quarts of water over Maisie’s dress.
‘Drat the man,’ she said, ‘Why can’t he—’ And then as he lifted his hat and apologised profusely, ‘O pray don’t mention it, water can’t possibly do any harm,’ and we went on our way, though perhaps not rejoicing. The Thomas’ barge was too full of people thumping their eightsmen upon the back, so we landed on the Cecil’s raft and walked slowly back up the fine avenue, which was crowded with youth and beauty all going in one direction.
There was no great excitement that night, and as Muriel complained of being tired, the ladies retired early, while Blitherington kindly organized a poker party in my rooms after the Union debate, and carried off thirty shillings from our united funds. With the exception of one and twopence this had all disappeared by the following morning, for while I was in Freddy’s digs at about sherry-and-bitter time, Blitherington came in to ask if he might put half-a-dozen collars and a silk handkerchief down to his account at Sampson’s.
That afternoon we took the girls out in canoes for the Eights and Maisie fell to me, while Freddy sacrificed himself to the extent of taking Lady Blitherington and Ophelia out in a large and equably-balanced punt. Squiff disappeared with Muriel in another canoe; while Blitherington, to whom the sight of Ophelia is as a red rag to a bull, persuaded Reggie to take him out in a punt alone.
‘What are you going to do with me this afternoon?’ said Maisie as she settled herself in my Canader, ‘don’t you think we ought to have brought Miss Bugg as chaperon?’
I suppose my face must have expressed my feelings, for she laughed and added, ‘Well, we’ll compromise by taking Jacob,’ which we did.
‘I’m a firm believer in laziness, aren’t you, Mr. Cochrane,’ she said as we turned up the Cher; ‘let’s get into some quiet nook and watch the people passing.’