But Geordie's watchful care and Mrs. Mavor's steady influence,
together with the loyal co-operation of the League men, kept Billy safe
so far. Nixon, too, was a marked man. It may be that he carried himself
with unnecessary jauntiness toward Slavin and Idaho, saluting the former
with, 'Awful dry weather! eh, Slavin?' and the latter with, 'Hello, old
sport! how's times?' causing them to swear deeply; and, as it turned
out, to do more than swear.
But on the whole the anti-League men were in favour of a respectable
ball, and most of the League men determined to show their appreciation
of the concession of the committee to the principles of the League in
the important matter of refreshments by attending in force.
Nixon would not go. However jauntily he might talk, he could not trust
himself, as he said, where whisky was flowing, for it got into his nose
'like a fish-hook into a salmon.' He was from Nova Scotia. For like
reason, Vernon Winton, the young Oxford fellow, would not go. When they
chaffed, his lips grew a little thinner, and the colour deepened in
his handsome face, but he went on his way.
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