The Christmas Books of Mr. M.A. TitmarshThackeray, William Makepeace
General
The Christmas Books of Mr. M.A. Titmarsh
Thackeray, William Makepeace
Christmas stories, English
Pat's face kindled up as he looked Davison full in the face, and held
out his hand. Old Champion and Davison both blushed. The infantry set up
a "Hurray, hurray, hurray," Champion leading, and waving his wide-awake.
I protest that the scene did one good to witness. Here was the hero and
cock of the school come back to see his old haunts and cronies. He had
always remembered them. Since he had seen them last, he had faced death
and achieved honor. But for my dignity I would have shied up my hat too.
With a resolute step, and his arm still linked in Champion's, Captain
Davison now advanced, followed by a wake of little boys, to that corner
of the green where Mrs. Ruggles has her tart stand.
"Hullo, Mother Ruggles! don't you remember me?" he said, and shook her
by the hand.
"Lor, if it ain't Davison Major!" she said. "Well, Davison Major, you
owe me fourpence for two sausage-rolls from when you went away."
Davison laughed, and all the little crew of boys set up a similar
chorus.
"I buy the whole shop," he said. "Now, young 'uns--eat away!"
Then there was such a "Hurray! hurray!" as surpassed the former cheer in
loudness. Everybody engaged in it except Piggy Duff, who made an instant
dash at the three-cornered puffs, but was stopped by Champion, who
said there should be a fair distribution. And so there was, and no
one lacked, neither of raspberry, open tarts, nor of mellifluous
bulls'-eyes, nor of polonies, beautiful to the sight and taste.
The hurraying brought out the old Doctor himself, who put his hand up to
his spectacles and started when he saw the old pupil. Each blushed when
he recognized the other; for seven years ago they had parted not good
friends.
"What--Davison?" the Doctor said, with a tremulous voice. "God bless
you, my dear fellow!"--and they shook hands. "A half holiday, of course,
boys," he added, and there was another hurray: there was to be no end to
the cheering that day.
"How's--how's the family, sir?" Captain Davison asked.
"Come in and see. Rosa's grown quite a lady. Dine with us, of course.
Champion Major, come to dinner at five. Mr. Titmarsh, the pleasure of
your company?" The Doctor swung open the garden gate: the old master and
pupil entered the house reconciled.
I thought I would first peep into Miss Raby's room, and tell her of
this event. She was working away at her linen there, as usual quiet and
cheerful.
"You should put up," I said with a smile; "the Doctor has given us a
half-holiday."
"I never have holidays," Miss Raby replied.
Then I told her of the scene I had just witnessed, of the arrival of the
old pupil, the purchase of the tarts, the proclamation of the holiday,
and the shouts of the boys of "Hurray, Davison!"
"WHO is it?" cried out Miss Raby, starting and turning as white as a
sheet.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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