The Water Ghost and Others
[Illustration] John Kendrick Bangs THE WATER GHOST AND OTHERS To Francis Sedgwick Bangs CONTENTS THE WATER GHOST OF HARROWBY HALL THE SPECTRE COOK OF BANGLETOP THE SPECK ON THE LENS
can get out of it," he said to me, looking down disdainfully at his
knickerbockered legs and taking an extra hitch on his new leather belt,
"I may as well have the regulation uniform. How do I look?"
I told him the suit was very becoming. He was a sight! On his huge,
bushy head was a Scotch cap, and it is certain that no clan stands
sponsor for that bewildering plaid. The silk shirt was a beauty, but it
did not harmonise with the burning red of his coat, with its cuffs and
collar of vivid green.
His trousers were of another plaid, but I should say that his stockings
were the dominating feature of his make-up. They were of green and gray,
the stripes running around instead of up and down, the effect being, of
course, to emphasise the appearance of stoutness. When you pull a thick
stocking or legging over an eighteen-inch calf you have done something
which compels even those who are near-sighted and blase to sit up and
give attention.
Harding's feet are of generous proportions, and his tan shoes with their
thick, broad soles armed with big spikes to keep him from slipping
looked most impressive.
He was the personification of newness. The leather of his bag was
flawless, and the grips of his clubs were new and glossy. The steel and
nickel of his iron clubs shone without one flaw to dim their lustre. In
the pocket of his bag were a dozen new balls, so white and gleaming that
[Illustration] John Kendrick Bangs THE WATER GHOST AND OTHERS To Francis Sedgwick Bangs CONTENTS THE WATER GHOST OF HARROWBY HALL THE SPECTRE COOK OF BANGLETOP THE SPECK ON THE LENS