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Bealby; A Holiday

Chapter 46: § 12
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About This Book

The narrative follows a headstrong stepson of a gardener who resists being placed into service at a great country house, flees, and embarks on a succession of misadventures. His wanderings lead to encounters with itinerants, awkward incidents in small towns, and an escalating pursuit by the adults who search for him, culminating in a chaotic local confrontation and a strained return home where he must explain himself. The tale blends comic episodes with observations on youthful rebellion, social expectations, and the tension between freedom and obligation.

§ 12

As Bealby, still grasping his great branch of yew, watched these events, a sense of human futility invaded his youthful mind. For the first time he realized the gulf between intention and result. He had meant so well....

He perceived it would be impossible to explain....

The thought of even attempting to explain things to Professor Bowles was repellent to him....

He looked about him with round despairful eyes. He selected a direction which seemed to promise the maximum of concealment with the minimum of conversational possibility, and in that direction and without needless delay he set off, eager to turn over an entirely fresh page in his destiny as soon as possible....

To get away, the idea possessed all his being.

From the crest of the downs a sweet voice floated after his retreating form and never overtook him.

“Di-ick!”