the ragged trousered philanthropists-第128章
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low custard and cut…glass dishes of glistening red and golden jelly alternated with vases of sweet…smelling flowers。
The floor of the dining…room was covered with oilcloth … red flowers on a pale yellow ground； the pattern was worn off in places； but it was all very clean and shining。 Whether one looked at the walls with the old…fashioned varnished oak paper； or at the glossy piano standing across the corner near the white…curtained window； at the shining oak chairs or through the open casement doors that led into the shady garden beyond； the dominating impression one received was that everything was exquisitely clean。
The landlord announced that dinner would be served in ten minutes； and while they were waiting some of them indulged in a drink at the bar … just as an appetizer … whilst the others strolled in the garden or； by the landlord's invitation； looked over the house。 Amongst other places； they glanced into the kitchen； where the landlady was superintending the preparation of the feast； and in this place； with its whitewashed walls and red…tiled floor； as in every other part of the house； the same absolute cleanliness reigned supreme。
‘It's a bit differint from the Royal Caff； where we got the sack； ain't it？' remarked the Semi…drunk to Bill Bates as they made their way to the dining…room in response to the announcement that dinner was ready。
‘Not arf！' replied Bill。
Rushton； with Didlum and Grinder and his other friends； sat at the round table near the piano。 Hunter took the head of the longer of the other two tables and Crass the foot； and on either side of Crass were Bundy and Slyme； who had acted with him as the Committee who had arranged the Beano。 Payne； the foreman carpenter； occupied the head of the other table。
The dinner was all that could be desired； it was almost as good as the kind of dinner that is enjoyed every day by those persons who are too lazy to work but are cunning enough to make others work for them。
There was soup； several entrees； roast beef； boiled mutton； roast turkey； roast goose； ham； cabbage； peas； beans and sweets galore； plum pudding； custard； jelly； fruit tarts； bread and cheese and as much beer or lemonade as they liked to pay for； the drinks being an extra； and afterwards the waiters brought in cups of coffee for those who desired it。 Everything was up to the knocker； and although they were somewhat bewildered by the multitude of knives and forks； they all； with one or two exceptions； rose to the occasion and enjoyed themselves famously。 The excellent decorum observed being marred only by one or two regrettable incidents。 The first of these occurred almost as soon as they sat down； when Ned Dawson who； although a big strong fellow； was not able to stand much beer； not being used to it； was taken ill and had to be escorted from the room by his mate Bundy and another man。 They left him somewhere outside and he came back again about ten minutes afterwards； much better but looking rather pale； and took his seat with the others。
The turkeys； the roast beef and the boiled mutton； the peas and beans and the cabbage； disappeared with astonishing rapidity； which was not to be wondered at； for they were all very hungry from the long drive； and nearly everyone made a point of having at least one helping of everything there was to be had。 Some of them went in for two lots of soup。 Then for the next course； boiled mutton and ham or turkey： then some roast beef and goose。 Then a little more boiled mutton with a little roast beef。 Each of the three boys devoured several times his own weight of everything； to say nothing of numerous bottles of lemonade and champagne ginger beer。
Crass frequently paused to mop the perspiration from his face and neck with his serviette。 In fact everybody had a good time。 There was enough and to spare of everything to eat； the beer was of the best； and all the time； amid the rattle of the crockery and the knives and forks； the proceedings were enlivened by many jests and flashes of wit that continuously kept the table in a roar。
‘Chuck us over another dollop of that there white stuff； Bob；' shouted the Semi…drunk to Crass； indicating the blancmange。
Crass reached out his hand and took hold of the dish containing the ‘white stuff'； but instead of passing it to the Semi…drunk； he proceeded to demolish it himself； gobbling it up quickly directly from the dish with a spoon。
‘Why； you're eating it all yerself； yer bleeder；' cried the Semi…drunk indignantly； as soon as he realized what was happening。
‘That's all right； matey；' replied Crass affably as he deposited the empty dish on the table。 ‘It don't matter； there's plenty more where it come from。 Tell the landlord to bring in another lot。'
Upon being applied to； the landlord； who was assisted by his daughter； two other young women and two young men； brought in several more lots and so the Semi…drunk was appeased。
As for the plum…pudding … it was a fair knock…out； just like Christmas： but as Ned Dawson and Bill Bates had drunk all the sauce before the pudding was served； they all had to have their first helping without any。 However； as the landlord brought in another lot shortly afterwards； that didn't matter either。
As soon as dinner was over； Crass rose to make his statement as secretary。 Thirty…seven men had paid five shillings each： that made nine pounds five shillings。 The committee had decided that the three boys … the painters' boy； the carpenters' boy and the front shop boy … should be allowed to come half…price： that made it nine pounds twelve and six。 In addition to paying the ordinary five…shilling subscription； Mr Rushton had given one pound ten towards the expenses。 （Loud cheers。） And several other gentlemen had also given something towards it。 Mr Sweater； of the Cave； one pound。 （Applause。） Mr Grinder； ten shillings in addition to the five…shilling subscription。 （Applause。） Mr Lettum； ten shillings； as well as the five…shilling subscription。 （Applause。） Mr Didlum； ten shillings in addition to the five shillings。 （Cheers。） Mr Toonarf； ten shillings as well as the five…shilling subscription。 They had also written to some of the manufacturers who supplied the firm with materials； and asked them to give something： some of 'em had sent half a crown； some five shillings； some hadn't answered at all； and two of 'em had written back to say that as things is cut so fine nowadays； they didn't hardly get no profit on their stuff； so they couldn't afford to give nothing； but out of all the firms they wrote to they managed to get thirty…two and sixpence altogether； making a grand total of seventeen pounds。
As for the expenses； the dinner was two and six a head； and there was forty…five of them there； so that came to five pounds twelve and six。 Then there was the hire of the brakes； also two and six a head； five pound twelve and six； which left a surplus of five pound fifteen to be shared out （applause）； which came to three shillings each for the thirty…seven men； and one and fourpence for each of the boys。 （Loud and prolonged cheers。）
Crass； Slyme and Bundy now walked round the tables distributing the share…out； which was very welcome to everybody； especially those who had spent nearly all their money during the journey from Mugsborough； and when this ceremony was completed； Philpot moved a hearty vote of thanks to the committee for the manner in which they had carried out their duties； which was agreed to with acclamation。 Then they made a collection for the waiters； and the three waitresses； which amounted to eleven shillings； for which the host returned thanks on behalf of the recipients； who were all smiles。
Then Mr Rushton requested the landlord to serve drinks and cigars all round。 Some had cigarettes and the teetotallers had lemonade or ginger beer。 Those who did not smoke themselves took the cigar all the same and gave it to someone else who did。 When all were supplied there suddenly arose loud cries of ‘Order！' and it was seen that Hunter was upon his feet。
As soon as silence was obtained； Misery said that he believed that everyone there present would agree with him； when he said that they should not let the occasion pass withou
