Chapter 58
quoted Josie tragically from her perch on the railing.
'Come with me, Tommy, and I'll make a man of you. Drop your pills and
powders, and cavort round the world a spell, and you'll soon forget
you've got a heart, or a stomach either,' said Dan, offering his one
panacea for all ills.
'Ship with me, Tom. A good fit of seasickness will set you up, and a
stiff north-easter blow your blue-devils away. Come along as
surgeon--easy berth, and no end of larks.'
'"And if your Nancy frowns, my lad,
And scorns a jacket blue,
Just hoist your sails for other ports,
And find a maid more true."'
added Emil, who had a fragment of song to cheer every care and
sorrow, and freely offered them to his friends.
'Perhaps I'll think of it when I've got my diploma. I'm not going to
grind three mortal years and have nothing to show for it. Till then,--'
'I'll never desert Mrs Micawber,' interrupted Teddy, with a gurgling
sob. Tom immediately rolled him off the step into the wet grass
below; and by the time this slight skirmish was over, the jingle of
teaspoons suggested refreshments of a more agreeable sort. In former
times the little girls waited on the boys, to save confusion; now the
young men flew to serve the ladies, young and old; and that slight
fact showed plainly how the tables were turned by time. And what a
pleasant arrangement it was! Even Josie sat still, and let Emil bring
her berries; enjoying her young lady-hood, till Ted stole her cake,
when she forgot manners, and chastised him with a rap on the
knuckles. As guest of honour, Dan was only allowed to wait on Bess,
who still held the highest place in this small world. Tom carefully
selected the best of everything for Nan, to be crushed by the remark:
'I never eat at this hour; and you will have a nightmare if you do.'
So, dutifully curbing the pangs of hunger, he gave the plate to
Daisy, and chewed rose-leaves for his supper.
When a surprising quantity of wholesome nourishment had been
consumed, someone said, 'Let's sing!' and a tuneful hour followed.