It was by no means ended. Felgate, to all appearance docile and penitent, nursed his wrath within him, and kept his eye open, with all the keenness of a sportsman, to the slightest opening for a revenge. In a quiet way he continued to do a great deal in the house to thwart the spirit of enterprise which was at present knitting all factions together. He sneered in a superior way at the enthusiasm all round him, and succeeded in making one or two of the fellows a little ashamed of their own eagerness.
The funds for Railsford’s testimonial came in slowly. The result of a fortnight’s hard work was only four shillings and threepence, and to get even that wretched sum Arthur had made himself temporary enemies all over the house. He wrote an urgent letter to Daisy, to “shell out” something, and strove to work on the feelings of his parents to assist him to do honour to their future son-in-law. Meanwhile he conceived the wild project of approaching the prefects on the subject. Unluckily for everybody, he made his first attempt with Felgate.
“A testimonial for Marky?” inquired that worthy. “What for?”
“Well, you know he’s been pretty civil since he came, and he’s backed us up in that row about Bickers, you know. We thought we’d get him a ring, you know. He’s spoons on my sister Daisy, and Dig and I thought it would fetch him if we stuck ‘Chuckey’—that’s the pet name he calls her—on it. Don’t you think it would be a good dodge? He’d be sure to be pleased if he saw your name on the list of subscribers, Felgate.”
“I’m certain of that,” said Felgate, laughing, “and if only I’d got any tin I’d be delighted. By the way, I fancy I did see a sixpence kicking about somewhere.”
“Thanks, awfully. That’ll be a stunning lift. He’s sure to be extra civil to you after it.”
“Oh, I see. Bribery, is it?” said Felgate, laughing. “And what particular reason have you for getting Mr Chuckey a testimonial?”
“Ha, ha!” said Arthur, who felt bound to laugh at the senior’s joke. “Jolly good name for him. Oh, some of the fellows think he’s backed us up, you know, about Bickers and all that. Thanks awfully for the sixpence, Felgate. I’ll be sure and stick your name at the top of the list. I say, when’s that trial adjourned to?”
“I don’t know. By the way, youngster, what a smart barrister you made that evening. Where did you pick it all up?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” said Arthur, feeling rather flattered. “Dig and I went and heard a chap tried at the Old Bailey once. It was rather slow. But, I say, do you really think I doubled up Dig well? He was awfully wild.”