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Page 72
'Let's see how they're getting on,' he said, opening the paper. 'Where
are we? Lunch scores. Lord's. Aha! Comrade Jackson is in form.'
'Jackson?' said Mr Smith, 'is that the same youngster you brought home
last summer? The batsman? Is he playing today?'
'He was not out thirty at lunch-time. He would appear to be making
something of a stand with his brother Joe, who has made sixty-one up to
the moment of going to press. It's possible he may still be in when we
get there. In which case we shall not be able to slide into the
pavilion.'
'A grand bat, that boy. I said so last summer. Better than any of his
brothers. He's in the bank with you, isn't he?'
'He was this morning. I doubt, however, whether he can be said to be
still in that position.'
'Eh? what? How's that?'
'There was some slight friction between him and the management. They
wished him to be glued to his stool; he preferred to play for the
county. I think we may say that Comrade Jackson has secured the Order
of the Boot.'
'What? Do you mean to say--?'
Psmith related briefly the history of Mike's departure.
Mr Smith listened with interest.
'Well,' he said at last, 'hang me if I blame the boy. It's a sin
cooping up a fellow who can bat like that in a bank. I should have done
the same myself in his place.'
Psmith smoothed his waistcoat.
'Do you know, father,' he said, 'this bank business is far from being
much of a catch. Indeed, I should describe it definitely as a bit off.
I have given it a fair trial, and I now denounce it unhesitatingly as a
shade too thick.'
'What? Are you getting tired of it?'
'Not precisely tired. But, after considerable reflection, I have come
to the conclusion that my talents lie elsewhere. At lugging ledgers I
am among the also-rans--a mere cipher. I have been wanting to speak to
you about this for some time. If you have no objection, I should like
to go to the Bar.'
'The Bar? Well--'
'I fancy I should make a pretty considerable hit as a barrister.'
Mr Smith reflected. The idea had not occurred to him before. Now that
it was suggested, his always easily-fired imagination took hold of it
readily. There was a good deal to be said for the Bar as a career.
Psmith knew his father, and he knew that the thing was practically as
good as settled. It was a new idea, and as such was bound to be
favourably received.
'What I should do, if I were you,' he went on, as if he were advising a
friend on some course of action certain to bring him profit and
pleasure, 'is to take me away from the bank at once. Don't wait. There
is no time like the present. Let me hand in my resignation tomorrow.
The blow to the management, especially to Comrade Bickersdyke, will be
a painful one, but it is the truest kindness to administer it swiftly.
Let me resign tomorrow, and devote my time to quiet study. Then I can
pop up to Cambridge next term, and all will be well.'
'I'll think it over--' began Mr Smith.
'Let us hustle,' urged Psmith. 'Let us Do It Now. It is the only way.
Have I your leave to shoot in my resignation to Comrade Bickersdyke
tomorrow morning?'
Mr Smith hesitated for a moment, then made up his mind.
'Very well,' he said. 'I really think it is a good idea. There are
great opportunities open to a barrister. I wish we had thought of it
before.'
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