Щоденник незначної особи
Chapter 8
Lupintoldme,privately,itwasanadvertisingfirm,andhedidnotthinkmuchofit.Ireplied:“Beggarsshouldnotbechoosers;”andIwilldoLupinthejusticetosay,helookedratherashamedofhimself.
IntheeveningwewentroundtotheCummings’,tohaveafewfireworks.Itbegantorain,andIthoughtitratherdull.Oneofmysquibswouldnotgooff,andGowingsaid:“Hititonyourboot,boy;itwillgooffthen.”Igaveitafewknocksontheendofmyboot,anditwentoffwithoneloudexplosion,andburntmyfingersratherbadly.IgavetherestofthesquibstothelittleCummings’boytoletoff.
Anotherunfortunatethinghappened,whichbroughtaheapofabuseonmyhead.Cummingsfastenedalargewheelset-pieceonastakeinthegroundbywayofagrandfinale.Hemadeagreatfussaboutit;saiditcostsevenshillings.Therewasalittledifficultyingettingitalight.Atlastitwentoff;butafteracoupleofslowrevolutionsitstopped.Ihadmystickwithme,soIgaveitataptosenditround,and,unfortunately,itfelloffthestakeontothegrass.AnybodywouldhavethoughtIhadsetthehouseonfirefromthewayinwhichtheystormedatme.Iwillneverjoininanymorefireworkparties.Itisaridiculouswasteoftimeandmoney.
November7.—LupinaskedCarrietocallonMrs.Mutlar,butCarriesaidshethoughtMrs.Mutlaroughttocallonherfirst.IagreedwithCarrie,andthisledtoanargument.