STRAIGHT BAT
I was reading an agreeably ridiculous school story called Play the Game, published, I should think, about 1912. I bought it for the charming colour illustrations which were the early work of Ernest H. Shepard, the Punch artist. The extract 1 give below reads even far more funnily today when people use one's Christian name before they know what one's surname is.
`Hang it all; Harry, old chap,' burst out Fortescuc, 'why can't you have some sense? You know you're in the Head's bad books already, and I should think this'll just about settle your hash for good and all.'
That sudden use of the Christian name, often so unusual at a big school even between friends, went straight to Kingston's heart, and caused a sudden tightening of his throat, which, for a moment, made it difficult for him to reply.
Previous page
