The Studs Lonigan Trilogy - James T. Farrell [312]
“Yes, fellows, we got to go about this the right way just as the master-of-ceremonies here says, because we’re not out to get the Order, but only that drunken..”
“This gentleman here is your spokesman. Mr... ah . what, sir, is your name?”
“Eddie McCarthy.”
“Now let us get Mr. McCarthy’s complete story.”
‘Three cheers for Eddie McCarthy!” someone called, and a wave of cheering rolled over the hall.
“Now I got as far as to tell how this fellow was cockeyed and trying to insult us as well as injure the honor of the Order of Christopher. Now I said he insults a blind man and a priest. Am I right or wrong?” Their cries affirmed his statement. “All right. Well, there we was in there, insulted by a bum who seemed just itching to have his teeth slapped down his face!”
“Yeah, let any of you come outside and try it!” the sergeant-at-arms called sneeringly from the rear of the hall, causing the Judge to wince.
“Come on out, you palooka!” McCarthy called.
“Bring him out! Bring him out! Bring him out!” they cried, stirred.
Judge Gorman waved his skinny arm, pounded with his gavel, raised his squeaky voice, in vain. Candidates rushed behind the stands, but they were blocked by the unopening and unbending line of silent black hooded figures.
“Gentlemen, I am stunned! Stunned!”
“Come on out, you bum! Bring him out!”
“Gentlemen, I want to state that I believe every charge you have made, and that I am in full rapport with your righteous anger!”
“Three cheers for the master-of-ceremonies. For he’s a jolly good fellow!” Eddie McCarthy shouted like a college cheer leader.
“Thank you, thank you, gentlemen,” the Judge said with feeling after the cheers had subsided. “I do not know what I can do to apologize for myself and for the Order of Christopher. From the bottom of my heart, I offer you my own, and its, profound apologies. And I hereby expel forever from this Order, Kevin Joyce, sergeant-at-arms of this Council, for betrayal of trust, conduct unbecoming an officer, setting a bad example, and appearing in an intoxicated condition at an important function!”
“Hurray!”
“But, gentlemen, we will need a sergeant-at-arms to assist me in the initiation ceremonies which I hope to begin shortly. I ask you if you will give your unanimous vote to Mr. McCarthy here as your sergeant-at-arms?”
“We want McCarthy!”
During the fresh burst of cheers, Judge Gorman signalled to the rear of the hall, and a red robe was brought to him. While he placed it on the shoulders of the new sergeant-atarms, deafening cheers resounded. McCarthy extended his hand for quiet, with superb assurance.
“Thanks, fellows, I’ll do my best to fulfill my job as sergeant-at-arms which you and the master-of-ceremonies have been so . so . so decent to entrust me with, and I’ll do my best, and if that ain’t enough, boot me out of it!”
Judge Gorman shook his hand in congratulations. McCarthy walked off the stand and was quickly mounted onto sturdy shoulders and carried along past the rows of camp chairs. Studs marched in the cheering group, which swept around the hall. If he hadn’t been such a damn tongue-tied flop with shaking knees, he’d have gotten the honor McCarthy had. He’d be an officer in his council of the Order of Christopher on his first day, known to the whole Council, an important figure. His noisy shouts were mixed with silent regrets. All his life he had waited for an opportunity like this one. And he’d flopped. His throat became irritated, and he cheered half-heartedly in a hoarse voice,