By JJ
"I'll simply refuse to do it!" William Golding
declared, as he licked the syrup off of his chubby
fingers. "I mean to say, the Bosun can't make us take
a shower, can he?"
Nathaniel Hislop bit his lip and considered their
quandary. "I think perhaps he can. Particularly if he
has the Captain's blessing and follows it up with the
cane. You could try writing to your uncle, Admiral
Seaforth, again."
Golding shook his head. "Uncle Francis was of no use!
Why, would you believe that in his last letter he told
me one of the great pleasures of being a Mid was the
regular canings, so I had best learn to enjoy them!"
Golding narrowed his eyes and whispered. "I am not at
all sure that my father would agree and he has often
said that Uncle Franny was rather a queer sort."
Nathaniel tried to keep a straight face. Golding
continued. "It's not so much the stripping naked in
full view of everyone that I object to, because Heaven
knows, old Dawson tells us to do so regularly on the
pretext of checking for pox. It's rather the thought
of all that cold water and what it will do to certain
parts of our anatomy. There we will be, in front of
the men, shrivelling away, if you take my meaning."
"Ahhhh." Nathaniel exclaimed, suddenly understanding
Goldings objections. He smirked. "Well that would only
concern someone who had a small...jib." He waited,
watching Golding's discomfit build. "I'm quite proud
of my rigging."
"So am I!" Golding protested. "Besides, mine is hardly
the smallest! Have you got a good look at Rileys?"
This time, there was no stopping Nathaniel's laughter.
"You can't miss it," Golding continued, "Surrounded as
it is, by all that hideous red hair." He shook his
head, still grinning. "I don't think I have anything
to worry about. Everyone will be so busy looking at
Riley's and pointing and laughing..."
"You seem to have an uncommon interest in Jonathan's
prick!" Nathaniel snickered. "Maybe if you are lucky
he will offer to scrub your back!"
"Why you...you..." For once Golding was short of
words.
Nathaniel held up his hands in supplication. "I am
sorry, truly I am. I know you aren't interested in
Riley anymore than I am," he placated. "But if you
like, I will asked the Bosun if the ship's goat can
join us. I know how fond you are of Nanny!"
JJ