RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30057, 15 February 1963, Page 16

RANDOM REMINDER

R. R. OMNIBUS: (6)

GREYFRIARS, 1963

“Yarooch!!!” The Owl of the Remove was in trouble again. “You fat bounder” said Harry Wharton, twisting Bunter’s arm further up his back. “You and your money order. It’s been cqming since 1932. Didn’t I tell you that if you didn’t pay up today you’d be for it?” “Lemme go Wharton, you sneak” Bunter burbled, “If you don’t I’m going to tell old Quelch about this protection racket you’re running." Just then Bob Cherry, Johnny Bull, and Hurree Jamset Ram Singh came round a corner of the quod and hailed Wharton. “The frightfulness is terrific” said Hurree Jamset Ram Singh, with satisfaction. “The bounder won’t pay up” said Wharton, giving Bunter’s arm a final twist and administering a hearty kick to speed Bunter on his way. Bunter waddled off. his mind already on the fat, juicy apple tart he knew that sneak Bulstrode was hiding in his tuck box. The Famous Four got together for a confab.

Once, they had been Five. But Frank Nugent had died of a coronary only the year before. Wharton’s lips twisted bitterly, remembering Nugent, and the good old days. “Don’t know what’s going to happen to us” he said to his bosom pals. “We didn’t have to work over fat owls like Bunter to get the price of a packet of fags in the old days, did we. I’m fed up. Fifty years I’ve been here, wearing this same blasted collar. Do you know how old Quelch is now? He’s 102 and we still can’t put anything across him. I’m fed to the teeth with it all.” The others murmered sympathetically. “It wasn’t so bad, when we started” Wharton said “But Tm too old for football now, hut I’ve still got to go on scoring those impossible rotten goals. With your help, of course. Cherry old man” he added hastily, as cheerful Bob started to look a little sour. Wharton went on. “Remember 1947? That’s when it all started. We had Singh here, then

there was that partition business, and had to have that Pakistan wallah in the Remove. He’s no better off than we are. All we ever get is Latin from old Quelch. and none of us can cone with that."

Wharton kicked a passing third-former abstractedly. i‘ Bu lk ave you heard the latest?” he said. Bob Cherry whistled. “I haven’t told you. yet" said Wharton savagely. Cherry cowered. “They’re not satisfied with opening up Greyfriars to Ghana Gabon and Togoland and all those other odd places they think they might be able to sell a Wharton “ n « thw Common Market business Old me it was in the wind. They think it might help. But what’s it mean? The place will J of awful Ities and Frogs and things” “Vive de Gaulle” said Johnny Bull, through set wetn.

you / J Wharton said, “Fve had enough. Tm putting in for a transfer, to St. Jim’s ”