Part 43 (1/2)

[294 ADVENTURES OF MR VERDANT GREEN]

Flexible Shanks returned, escorting between the was it to remain so?

”Past Grand Hodman!” said Mr Blades, ”instruct the neophyte in the pris of the Ce, Mr Verdant Green then sat down upon the lozenged floor, and held his knees with his hands Mr Flexible Shanks then brought to hio> by the assistance of Mr Foote, placed under the knees and over the arms of Mr Verdant Green, who thus sat like a trussed fowl, and equally helpless

”Recite to the neophyte the oath of the Cemented Bricks!” said Mr

Blades

”Ramphastidinae toco scolopendra tinnunculus cracticornis bos!”

exclaih fire and water, and bricks and mortar, the words of this oath?” asked Mr Blades from his throne

”You must say, I do!” whispered Mr Bouncer to Mr Verdant Green, who accordingly muttered the response

”Let the oath be witnessed and registered by Swordbearer and Deputy Past Pantile, Provincial Grand Mortar-board, and Past Grand Hodentlenated stood on either side of and behind Mr Verdant Green, and, with theatrical gestures, clashed their swords over his head

”Keetum nipcat! let him rise,” said Mr

[AN OXFORD FRESHMAN 295]

Blades; and the poker was thereupon withdrawn fro untrussed, but sos

He hoped that his troubles were now at an end; but this pleasing delusion was speedily dispelled, by Mr Blades saying - ”The next part of the ceremonial is the delivery of the red-hot poker Let the poker be heated!”

Mr Verdant Green went chill with dread as he watched the terrible instrument borne from the room by Mr Foote and Mr Flexible Shanks, while Mr Bouncer resuuard over him with the draord

All was quiet save a smothered sound from the other side of the door, which, under other circuhter; but, the soleth the poker was brought in, red-hot and s, whereupon Mr Blades left his throne and walked to the other end of the room, and there took his seat upon a second throne, before which was a second altar, garnished - as Mr Verdant Green soon perceived, to his horror and amazement - with a hu from a black cloth that concealed the neck, and, doubtless, the hastly features were clearly displayed by the aid of a wax light placed in a tall silver candlestick by its side

Mr Blades received the poker from Mr Foote, and commanded the neophyte to advance Mr Verdant Green did so, and took up a tre position to the left of the throne, while Mr Foote and Mr

Flexible Shanks proceeded to the organ, which was to the right of the entrance door Mr Blades then delivered the poker to Mr Verdant Green, who, at first, iined that he was required to seize it by its red-hot end, but was greatly relieved in his mind when he found that he had merely to take it by the handle, and repeat (as well as he could) a for done this he was desired to transfer the poker to the Past Grand Hodman - Mr Bouncer

He had just come to the joyful conclusion that the much dreaded poker portion of the business was now at an end, when

[296 ADVENTURES OF MR VERDANT GREEN]

Mr Blades ruthlessly cast a dark cloud over his glea - ”The next part of the cereanist call in the aid of music to drown the shrieks of the victim!” and, thereupon, Mr Foote struck up (with the full swell of the organ) a heart-rending air that sounded like ”the cries of the wounded” froue~

Now, it happened that little Mr Bouncer - like his sister - was subject to uncontrollable fits of laughter at improper seasons For the last half-hour he had suffered severely from the torture of suppressed ht at the anticipated branding, huainst an explosion of hter, and, with convulsive sobs, flung hiious; Mr Blades, Mr Foote, and Mr Flexible Shanks, one after another, joined in the roar, and relieved their pent-up feelings with a rush of uproarious laughter

At the first Mr Verdant Green looked surprised, and in doubt whether or no this was but a part of the usual proceedings attendant upon the initiation of a e of Cemented Bricks Then the truth dawned upon hilamps!” shouted little Mr Bouncer ”I didn't think we could carry out the joke so far, I wonder if this will be hoax the last for Mr Verdant Green?”

”I hope so indeed!” replied our hero; ”for I have no wish to continue a Freshive you full liberty to hoax ood-huhter raised at his own expense