TRINIDAD : THEN AND NOW. 



113 



doorway. The master at once ordered me to my seat 

 and began to apologise. Mr. Trench, with good 

 humour beaming on his face said, cc Let the lad alone. 

 I want to hear him," and calling me to him said, 

 "What have you been reciting ?" " Only trying my 

 memory, sir, by repeating your sermon of yesterday," 

 I replied! " Let me hear you," said Mr. Trench, 

 " and begin at the beginning ; I want to hear you. 

 Don't be either bashful or timid ; I am fond of 

 recitations ! " 



Don't think that, sir," said the master, " if he 

 begins he'll go through with it." And so I began. As 

 I proceeded, a spirit of mischief crept over me and I 

 not only repeated the sermon but mimicked the prea- 

 cher's voice and mannerisms. The master was mak- 

 ing signs to me but to no effect ; the spirit of mischief 

 was aroused and I heeded him not but continued 

 through to the very end. When I had finished, Mr. 

 Trench called me to him and said, " I see that your 

 memory is superb and your mimicry not bad," and 

 turning to the rector and master he said, " this is the 

 most extraordinary thing I have ever seen or heard ; 

 he has, so far as I can remember it, repeated my dis- 

 course of yesterday word for word," and putting his 

 hand into his pocket gave me two half-crown pieces. 

 Of course, out of my sudden wealth, I had to stand a 

 small treat to the other boys 



In the course of the same week he was telling the 

 incident to some ladies, amongst whom was my god- 

 mother, and mentioned the name of the boy who, as 

 he designated it, had the wonderful memory. My 



H 



