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Chapter 13
”Shefurthersaidshewouldmakeafewcustards,andstewsomepippins,sothattheywouldbecoldbytheevening.
FindingLupiningoodspirits,IaskedhimquietlyifhereallyhadanypersonalobjectiontoeitherGowingorCummings.Hereplied:“Notintheleast.IthinkCummingslooksratheranass,butthatispartlyduetohispatronising‘thethree-and-six-one-pricehatcompany,’andwearingareach-me-downfrock-coat.AsforthatperpetualbrownvelveteenjacketofGowing’s—why,heresemblesanitinerantphotographer.”
Isaiditwasnotthecoatthatmadethegentleman;whereuponLupin,withalaugh,replied:“No,anditwasn’tmuchofagentlemanwhomadetheircoats.”
Wewereratherjollyatsupper,andDaisymadeherselfveryagreeable,especiallyintheearlierpartoftheevening,whenshesang.Atsupper,however,shesaid:“Canyoumaketee-to-tumswithbread?”andshecommencedrollinguppiecesofbread,andtwistingthemroundonthetable.Ifeltthistobebadmanners,butofcoursesaidnothing.PresentlyDaisyandLupin,tomydisgust,beganthrowingbread-pillsateachother.Frankfollowedsuit,andsodidCummingsandGowing,tomyastonishment.Theythencommencedthrowinghardpiecesofcrust,onepiececatchingmeontheforehead,andmakingmeblink.Isaid:“Steady,please;steady!”Frankjumpedupandsaid:“Tum,tum;thenthebandplayed.”
Ididnotknowwhatthismeant,buttheyallroared,andcontinuedthebread-battle.
