Part 10 (1/2)

[AN OXFORD FRESHMAN 75]

song, but only appreciates the chorus)~ - ”That'll do, old feller! We aint pertickler,-(~rushes with great deliberation and noise to the chorus~) ”That you lo-oved entlemen!”

~Omnes (in various keys and time)~ ”That you lo-oved me sti-ill the sa real, can't you colaain taken the opportunity to clear his throat)~ ”I drea pardon!

sang that (~desperately~) - that sui-uitors sou-ught hts on their (~hic~) ben-ended kne-e-ee - had (~hic~) riches too gre-eat to” - (~Mr Verdant Green snantly upon the company~) - ”Don't rec'lect anymo”

~Mr Bouncer (who is not to be defrauded of the chorus)~ ”Chorus, gentlemen! - That you'll lo-ove me sti-ill the sa-a-hame!”

~Omnes (ad libituh our hero had ceased to sing, he was still continuing to clear his throat by the aid of the ar, which he had not yet succeeded in getting half through, although he had re-lighted it about twenty times All this was observed by the watchful eyes of Mr Bouncer, hispering to his neighbour, and bestowing a distributive wink on the co reet on my pins to trouble you with a neat and appropriate speech; but on an occasion like the present, e are honoured with the presence of a party who has just delighted us hat I may call a flood of har in the vocal line, as to considerably take the shi+ne out of the woodpecker-tapping, that we've read of in the pages of history (~hear, hear: ”Go it again, Bouncer!”~), - when, gentleinal Little Wobbler, - need I say that I allude to Mr Verdant Green? - (~vociferous cheers~)- I feel it a sort of, what you call a privilege, d'ye see, to stand on ood health (~renewed cheers~) Mr Verdant Green, gentle us, and is, in point of fact, what you call a freshh of hiained an acquisition, which - which - (~cries of ”Tally-ho! Yoicks! Hark forrud!”~) Exactly so, gentlemen: so, as I see you are all anxious to do honour to our freshive you the health of Mr Verdant Green! With all the honours Chorus, gents!

[76 ADVENTURES OF MR VERDANT GREEN]

”For he's a jolly good fellow!

For he's a jolly good fellow!!

For he's a jolly good f-e-e-ell-ow!!!

Which nobody can deny!”

This chorus was taken up and prolonged in thein it, and only regretting that he had not his post-horn with hi It seeers of the chorus to dwell as long as possible on the third repetition of the word ”fellow,” and in the most defiant manner to pounce down on the bold affirmation by which it is followed; and then to lyrically proclaim that, not only was it a way they had in the Varsity to drive dull care away, but that the same practice was also pursued in the army and navy for the attain over three or four times, and Mr

Verdant Green's naentlereat difficulty), to return thanks He was understood to speak as follows: <vg076jpg>

”Geneluenelum (~”That's about the ticket, old feller!” from Mr Bouncer~) Custoed drinkenelum, and prowtitle (~loud cheers~) Myfren Misserboucer, fallowlamps, you do me proud, old feller”~) Myfren Misserboucer seszime fresman - prow title, sureyou (~hear, hear~) Genelohotillmorrin! (~”We won't, on't! not a bit of it!”~) Gelelmul (~cheers~) Fanyul dousreel, Braseface, Oxul freslasses, during which Mr Verdant Green's coat-tails are made the receptacles for empty bottles, lobsters' claws, and other miscellaneous articles~) Misserboucer said was fresmal If Misserboucer

[AN OXFORD FRESHMAN 77]

wantsultreel, Braseface! Not shaelmul! prowtitle! (~Great applause~) I doewaltilsul Misserboucer! thenwhysee sulthter, in which Mr Verdant Green suddenly joins to the best of his ability~) I'elhter, in which Mr Verdant Green feebly joins~) Anweerall jolgoodfles, anogohotilelmul, anfanyul door - an I - doefeel quiwell!”

This was the ter a few unintelligible sounds, his knees suddenly gave way, and with a benevolent smile he disappeared beneath the table

Half an hour afterwards two gentle steps across the entle dress, and appeared incapable of taking care of hientlemen set down their burden under an open doorway, painted over with a large _4_; and then, by pulling and pushi+ng, assisted it to guide its steps up a narrow and intricate staircase, until they had gained the third floor, and stood before a door, over which the ht revealed, in newly-painted white letters, the name of ”MR

VERDANT GREEN”

”Well, old feller,” said the first gentle up stairs'?”