Billy Bunter's Benefit By Frank Richards - Friardale

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Billy Bunter’s Benefit By Frank Richards seven shillings, obviously would not avail for Mr. Parker: and Bunter had no longer any hope of making up the required sum in his role of bold bad sportsman. He rolled away to the tuck-shop! CHAPTER XXXV BENEFIT PERFORMANCE! “UM!” said Bob Cherry, thoughtfully. There was a buzz of voices in No. 1 Study after class on Monday. The Famous Five, the Bounder, Squiff, and several other fellows had gathered there: and, of course, Wibley, as the matter under discussion was the coming presentation of “Hamlet,” by William Shakespeare, by the Remove Dramatic Society. Wednesday was the great day, and Wibley, who decided everything in his capacity of President-Manager-Producer-and-Everything-Else, had settled that it was to be a matinee performance. Some of the R.D.S. were disposed to demur. A half-holiday, Johnny Bull pointed out, was a half-holiday. Cricket, Harry Wharton declared, was cricket. It was all very well if Wednesday turned out to be a rainy day. Otherwise, it was not all very well. Wibley brushed all objections aside. It was going to be a matinee on Wednesday afternoon, and that was that. Bob Cherry had taken little part in the discussion. He seemed to be reflecting. However, other matters having been settled, and there being a pause in the buzz of voices, Bob came out of his thoughtful silence. “Um!” he said. Wibley gave him a glare. “Wednesday afternoon,” he said, in a tone of finality. “If you’re going to say ‘cricket,’ don’t!” “I wasn’t going to say ‘cricket,’” said Bob, mildly “But—.” “Nothing to ‘but’ about, then,” said Wibley. “But—!” repeated Bob. “Well, we’re through,” said Wibley, rising. Having finished talking, Wib took it for granted that there was nothing further to be said. “Hold on, fathead,” said Harry Wharton. “Bob’s got something to say. Carry on, Bob.” “Well,” said Bob, “I’ve been thinking about that fat ass, Bunter.” Wibley stared. “Wandering in your mind?” he asked. “Bunter’s not in the cast. He can Page 136 of 161
Billy Bunter’s Benefit By Frank Richards come in as audience if he likes. What on earth do you mean?” “He’s up against it,” said Bob. “Is he?” said Wibley, staring. With his mind full of “Hamlet,” Wibley was not likely to remember the trials and tribulations of so unimportant a personage as William George Bunter. “Somebody after him for raiding a cake? What does Bunter matter?” “Not much, perhaps,” admitted Bob. “But he’s landed himself in an awful scrape. He hasn’t paid Parker for that bike—.” “Eh? Oh! Yes! I remember. Well, now we’re through—.” Wibley moved towards the door. He did not seem interested in Bunter. “We’re not through till Bob’s said his piece, fathead,” said Johnny Bull. “Shut up a minute.” “Well, what about helping him through?” said Bob. “The fat chump thought of the idea himself, and told Wharton—a benefit performance—.” “What?” ejaculated Wibley. “A benefit for Bunter!” exclaimed Vernon-Smith. “Bunter’s benefit!” said Johnny Bull, staring. “Rot!” “The rotfulness is somewhat terrific, my esteemed Bob.” “It would, mean charging for admission,” said Frank Nugent. “Which being interpreted means that nobody would come!” said the Bounder. “And who the thump is Bunter that anybody should bother about him?” “Well, he’s nobody in particular,” agreed Bob. “But he’s a born idiot—.” “Is that why you’re bothering about him?” asked the Bounder, sarcastically. “A fellow-feeling makes us wondrous kind—is that it?” “Oh, don’t be an ass, Smithy! Look here,” said Bob, “you did him a good turn yourself, if you come to that. You must have lost two or three quids on that bike you gave him seven guineas for.” “And I was an ass for my pains. He’s been blowing the tin on tuck instead of paying Parker.” “I know! All the same, he’s heading for a fearful row. Parker will go to the Head if he isn’t paid.” “Let him!” said Smithy, with a shrug of his shoulders. “Serve him right!” “Um!” said Bob. “I daresay it would serve the fat ass right—but that isn’t the point. Give every man his deserts, and who will escape whipping— Shakespeare.” “Oh, give Shakespeare a rest! We’re getting enough of him.” “Well, look here,” said Bob. “Bunter’s for it, if nothing’s done. We could see him through by making this Bunter’s benefit. Lots of fellows would play up. We could raise the amount——,” “And hand it over to Bunter to blow at the tuck-shop?” asked Smithy. Page 137 of 161
Page 1 and 2:
Billy Bunter’s Benefit By Frank R
Page 3 and 4:
Page 5 and 6:
Page 7 and 8:
Page 9 and 10:
Page 11 and 12:
Page 13 and 14:
Page 15 and 16:
Page 17 and 18:
Page 19 and 20:
Page 21 and 22:
Page 23 and 24:
Page 25 and 26:
Page 27 and 28:
Page 29 and 30:
Page 31 and 32:
Page 33 and 34:
Page 35 and 36:
Page 37 and 38:
Page 39 and 40:
Page 41 and 42:
Page 43 and 44:
Page 45 and 46:
Page 47 and 48:
Page 49 and 50:
Page 51 and 52:
Page 53 and 54:
Page 55 and 56:
Page 57 and 58:
Page 59 and 60:
Page 61 and 62:
Page 63 and 64:
Page 65 and 66:
Page 67 and 68:
Page 69 and 70:
Page 71 and 72:
Page 73 and 74:
Page 75 and 76:
Page 77 and 78:
Page 79 and 80:
Page 81 and 82:
Page 83 and 84:
Page 85 and 86: Billy Bunter’s Benefit By Frank R
Page 135: Billy Bunter’s Benefit By Frank R
Page 161: Billy Bunter’s Benefit By Frank R
show all

Billy Bunter's Benefit By Frank Richards - Friardale

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?