William the Fourth Read Free Page A

Jameson thought this very likely, and they discussed it excitedly in the middle of the road, some hatless, some hatted, all talking breathlessly. Then at the other end of the road
appeared a group of boys. They were happy, rollicking boys. They all carried bags of sweets which they ate lavishly and handed round to their friends equally lavishly. One held a camera – or
the remains of a camera – whose mechanism the entire party had just been investigating. One more had a large wristwatch upon a small wrist. One walked (or rather leapt) upon a silver-topped
walking-stick. One, the quietest of the group, was smoking a cigarette. At the side near the ditch about half a dozen rode intermittently upon a bicycle. The descent of the bicycle and its cargo
into the ditch was greeted with roars of laughter. They were very happy boys. They sang as they walked.
    ‘We’ve been to the pictures.’
    ‘In the best seats.’
    ‘Bought lots of sweets and a mouth-organ.’
    ‘We’ve got a bicycle, an’ a camera, an’ two watches, an’ a fountain-pen, an’ a razor, an’ a football, an’ lots of things.’
    THEN AT THE OTHER END OF THE ROAD APPEARED A GROUP OF BOYS. THEY WERE HAPPY, ROLLICKING BOYS.
    White with fury, the Senior Bolshevists charged down upon them. The Junior Bolshevists stood their ground firmly, with the exception of the one who had been smoking a cigarette, and he, perforce
a coward for physical rather than moral reasons, crept quietly home, relinquishing without reluctance his half-smoked cigarette. In the Homeric battle that followed, accusations and justifications
were hurled to and fro as the struggle proceeded.
    ‘You beastly little thieves!’
    ‘You said to be equal, an’ why should some people have all the things!’
    ‘You little wretches!’
    ‘We’re ’uman beings an’ got to take things to make equal. You said so.’
    ‘Give it back to me!’
    ‘Why should you have it an’ not me? It was time for Action, you said.’
    ‘You’ve spoilt it.’
    ‘Well, it’s as much mine as yours. We’ve got equal rights. We’re all ’uman beings.’
    But the battle was one-sided, and the Junior Branch, having surrendered their booty and received punishment, fled in confusion. The Senior Branch, bending lovingly and sadly over battered
treasures, walked slowly and silently up the road.
    ‘About your Society—’ began Mr Brown after dinner.
    ‘No,’ said Robert, ‘it’s all off. We’ve given it up, after all. We don’t think there’s much in it, after all. None of us do, now. We feel quite
different.’
    ‘But you were so enthusiastic about it this afternoon. Sharing fairly, and all that sort of thing.’
    ‘Yes,’ said Robert. ‘That’s all very well. It’s all right when you can get your share of other people’s things, but when other people try to get their share
of your things, then it’s different.’
    ‘Ah,’ said Mr Brown, ‘that’s the weak spot. I’m glad you found it out.’

 
    CHAPTER 2
    WILLIAM AND PHOTOGRAPHY
    M rs Adolphus Crane was William’s mother’s second cousin and William’s godmother. Among the many senseless institutions of
grown-up life the institutions of godmothers and godfathers seemed to William the most senseless of all. Moreover, Mrs Adolphus Crane was rich and immensely respectable – the last person whom
Fate should have selected as his godmother. Fortunately, she lived at a distance, and so was spared the horrible spectacle of William’s daily crimes. His meetings with her had not been
fortunate, so far, in spite of his family’s earnest desire that he should impress her favourably.
    There had been that terrible meeting two months ago. William was running a race with one of his friends. It was quite a novel race invented by William. The competitors each had their mouths full
of water and the one who could run the farthest without either swallowing his load or discharging it, won. William in the course of the race encountered Mrs