Billy Bunter's Benefit By Frank Richards - Friardale

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Billy Bunter’s Benefit By Frank Richards Remove Dramatic Society were not getting away with this! Coker knew what was scheduled to happen during that performance, if nobody else did. “Will you get out of that doorway, Coker?” bawled Bolsover major. “No,” said Coker, calmly. “Then you’ll be chucked out! Here, Linley—Russell—Hazel—Elliot—Fishy— lend a hand here.” There was a scuffle in the doorway of the Rag. Half-a-dozen Remove fellows proved equal to the task of shifting Coker. He disappeared into the passage without. More and more fellows came in. Whether it was the rain out of doors, or Wibley in the role of Hamlet indoors, or both, the Rag was filling fast. Billy Bunter blinked round over the numerous audience, and grinned a grin of fat satisfaction. Undoubtedly Bunter’s benefit looked like being a success. Interfering fellows, much to Bunter’s indignation, were keeping hold of the cash-box. But once it was over, they would have to shell out. It would be over by tea-time: and then Billy Bunter was going to have the spending of his own money! And if Bunter had the spending of the funds raised by his benefit, it was possible that Mr. Parker, at Courtfield, was booked to wait a little longer for his little bill! Bunter was not, at the moment, thinking of Mr. Parker. He was thinking of a great and glorious spread. Some of the audience, perhaps, were eager for the performance to begin. The fattest member was only eager for it to end. Three o’clock boomed out from the clock-tower, The stage was cleared. The signal was given for the curtain to go up. Up it went: revealing the stage set for the first scene of “Hamlet”: the ramparts of Elsinore, with the sentry at his post. One or two late-corners trickled in. Then Bolsover major closed the door of the Rag—almost on the nose of Horace Coker. The audience ceased to scrape chair-legs and shuffle feet, and settled down to watch the Remove Dramatic Society present “Hamlet” by W. Shakespeare. CHAPTER XXXVIII COKER CARRIES ON! “COKER, old man—,” “Coker, old chap—.” Page 146 of 161
Billy Bunter’s Benefit By Frank Richards “Don’t jaw!” said Coker. “But, look here, old fellow—!” pleaded Potter, “Look here—!” urged Greene, “I said don’t jaw!” Coker pointed out. Potter and Greene were earnest. Indeed they were almost tearful in their earnestness. They were worried, alarmed, in fact horrified, by Coker’s latest and maddest stunt, and his adamantine determination to carry on with it. Little as they could expect to enjoy Coker’s company, they were prepared to put up with it for the whole of the afternoon, to keep him from asking for trouble. “You see—!” said Potter. “Don’t you see,” said Greene. “They’re going it,” said Coker, grimly. “They’ve started! Listen to the cheeky little rotters! Just listen!” Coker was standing outside the door of the Rag. Potter and Greene were trying to edge him away to the door on the quad, in the hope of getting him out for the afternoon. But Coker was not to be edged. Voices could be heard from the Rag. They had, as Coker said, started. The Remove Dramatic Society were going strong with “Hamlet” by W. Shakespeare. Horatio says ‘tis but our fantasy, And will not let belief take hold of him. “That’s young Ogilvy,” said Coker. “Stop pushing me, Potter—what are you shoving a fellow for?” “I don’t think the rain will last,” said Potter. “We could get out on the jiggers, Coker.” “I’ve got something else to do, Potter. You can go out if you like.” “We shouldn’t enjoy a spin without you, Coker,” said Greene—perhaps considering it justifiable to exaggerate a little in a good cause. “Well, I may come later,” said Coker. “Listen to them! They’ve got the Ghost on now! I’ll give ‘em ghosts! That’s young Penfold speaking!” Looks it not like the king? Mark it, Horatio. “And that’s young Wharton,” said Coker, as the next voice came. Most like! It harrows me with fear and wonder. Page 147 of 161
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Billy Bunter's Benefit By Frank Richards - Friardale

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