Page:Georgie by Dorothea Deakin, 1906.djvu/225

The Gladiators "Linwood didn't turn up, of course?" said I.

Georgia laughed.

"That's where you slip up," said he quietly.

"What—was he there?" I really was surprised.

"He was very much there. The doctor was there too. He is a decent chap. Said he'd brought his bag with him in case any of our fellows cried off. Said he wanted to meet Gummery on the field of battle once more for the sake of old times. Gummery was the Guys man, and he was playing full back for the visitors. He was the leanest beggar I ever saw, and directly the Linnet came into the pavilion he edged up to him and began to talk. The poor devil seemed to fascinate him, and I'm sure I don't know why, for he looked just like anyone else. Kept on asking him rotten questions. You'd have thought he was madder than Linwood. I tried to keep him off, but it was no go. And then the Linnet began to get angry and lie to him. 209