The Third String Page #4

"The Third String" by W. W. Jacobs is a humorous short story that explores themes of friendship, rivalry, and the absurdities of competition. The narrative follows the antics of a group of friends who become embroiled in a lighthearted contest revolving around a stringed instrument, ultimately revealing the whimsical dynamics of their relationships. Jacobs' wit and keen observations on human nature shine through, making the story both entertaining and relatable. The tale combines elements of comedy with a touch of poignancy, showcasing Jacobs' mastery of storytelling.

• Humour
• Short story

								

fight Bill Lumm agin. Keep out of ’is way.”

“Why? I beat ’im once, an’ I can beat ’im agin,” ses Ginger, offended.

“Beat ’im?” ses the landlord. He took ’is cigar out of ’is mouth as
though ’e was going to speak, and then put it back agin and looked out
of the window.

“Yes, beat ’im,” ses Ginger’. “You was there and saw it.”

“He lost the fight a-purpose,” ses the landlord, whispering. “Miss
Tucker found out that you wasn’t a prize-fighter—leastways, I did for
’er—and she told Bill that, if ’e loved ’er so much that he’d ’ave ’is
sinful pride took down by letting you beat ’im, she’d think diff’rent
of ’im. Why, ’e could ’ave settled you in a minute if he’d liked. He
was on’y playing with you.”

Ginger stared at ’im as if ’e couldn’t believe ’is eyes. “Playing?” he
ses, feeling ’is face very gently with the tips of his fingers.

“Yes,” ses the landlord; “and if he ever hits you agin you’ll know I’m
speaking the truth.”

Ginger sat back all of a heap and tried to think. “Is Miss Tucker going
to keep company with ’im agin, then?” he ses, in a faint voice.

“No,” ses the landlord; “you can make your mind easy on that point.”

“Well, then, if I walk out with ’er I shall ’ave to fight Bill all over
agin,” ses Ginger.

The landlord turned to ’im and patted ’im on the shoulder. “Don’t you
take up your troubles afore they come, my lad,” he ses, kindly; “and
mind and keep wot I’ve told you dark, for all our sakes.”

He put ’im down at the door of ’is lodgings and, arter shaking ’ands
with ’im, gave the landlady a shilling and told ’er to get some
beefsteak and put on ’is face, and went home. Ginger went straight off
to bed, and the way he carried on when the landlady fried the steak
afore bringing it up showed ’ow upset he was.

It was over a week afore he felt ’e could risk letting Miss Tucker see
’im, and then at seven o’clock one evening he felt ’e couldn’t wait any
longer, and arter spending an hour cleaning ’imself he started out for
the Jolly Pilots.

He felt so ’appy at the idea o’ seeing her agin that ’e forgot all
about Bill Lumm, and it gave ’im quite a shock when ’e saw ’im standing
outside the Pilots. Bill took his ’ands out of ’is pockets when he saw
’im and came toward ’im.

“It’s no good to-night, mate,” he ses; and to Ginger’s great surprise
shook ’ands with ’im.

“No good?” ses Ginger, staring.

“No,” ses Bill; “he’s in the little back-parlour, like a whelk in ’is
shell; but we’ll ’ave ’im sooner or later.”

“Him? Who?” ses Ginger, more puzzled than ever.

“Who?” ses Bill; “why, Webson, the landlord. You don’t mean to tell me
you ain’t heard about it?”

“Heard wot?” ses Ginger. “I haven’t ’eard anything. I’ve been indoors
with a bad cold all the week.”

“Webson and Julia Tucker was married at eleven o’clock yesterday
morning,” ses Bill Lumm, in a hoarse voice. “When I think of the way
I’ve been done, and wot I’ve suffered, I feel ’arf crazy. He won a
’undered pounds through me, and then got the gal I let myself be
disgraced for. I ’ad an idea some time ago that he’d got ’is eye on
her.”

Ginger Dick didn’t answer ’im a word. He staggered back and braced
’imself up agin the wall for a bit, and arter staring at Bill Lumm in a
wild way for pretty near three minutes he crawled back to ’is lodgings
and went straight to bed agin.
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