The Shadow of Great Britain

162: Chapter 117 Farewell to Cambridge Again 162: Chapter 117 Farewell to Cambridge Again In the central street of Greenwich District, a public carriage rattled along.

In the carriage, Arthur, looking at Eld opposite him whistling and reading the newspaper, couldn’t help but sigh, “Didn’t I tell you to buy a new suit?

Could it be that you think the clothing stores in Greenwich are better than those in West London?”

Eld nonchalantly turned the next page of the newspaper, still engrossed in the sensational plot it portrayed as he responded, “Buying a new suit fit for attending high society gatherings is just too expensive.

Besides, I’m not some socialite, and I might not even go to a social gathering once a month.

Buying clothes that I hardly wear would be too much of a loss.”

“So, what should we do?

Although I’ve heard that the ladies of the Bluestocking Society don’t particularly care whether the scientists lecturing them are dressed appropriately, but do you understand science, you?

I ask you, what is the left-hand rule, what is the right-hand helix theorem, or at least you must understand Hasting Force, right?”

Eld took out a delicate pair of scissors from the pocket of his coat and carefully snipped out the parts of the newspaper he was satisfied with, tucking them into his bosom.

“Arthur, stop worrying about me.

As for the formal attire for the gathering, I usually just go straight to my uncle’s house to get it.

He boarded a ship to the Mediterranean fleet’s station in the Ionian Islands last month, and our body size is quite similar.

What’s the harm in borrowing a whole chest of clothes from him?”

Upon hearing this, Arthur knew this lad was definitely up to no good and asked, “You’re always thinking about taking things from your uncle’s house, would your aunt and cousin agree to that?”

“Why wouldn’t they agree?”

Eld raised an eyebrow and said, “Lady Cordington has also extended an invitation to them for the party.

Haven’t I told you that General Cordington is my uncle’s former superior?

Since I’m going as well, they can’t just watch me lose face for the Carter family at the gathering, can they?

By the way, Arthur, we need to make a deal—if no one asks my sister to dance at the gathering, you’ll have to step in for her.”

“Step in for her?

How?” Arthur frowned and asked, “I can’t dance, and if I ask her, it won’t just be her face that’s lost.”

Eld, holding his forehead in frustration, said, “That’s going to be problematic.

The kid heard I knew you, one of the VIP guests of the gathering, and has been pestering me to let her shine at Sunday’s gathering.

Even if you can’t dance, you have to find a way for me to make her stand out.”

Arthur glanced outside the carriage window, “Stand out?

That’s easy.

Later, you can have your sister replace you and help me crank the hand generator at the gathering.”

On hearing this, Eld couldn’t help but complain, “Arthur!

Can’t you stop coming up with such lousy ideas?

Noble young ladies’ reputations are all about being ‘delicate’ and ‘beautiful’; how can it turn into ‘able to continuously turn a hand-cranked generator’ when it comes to my sister?

Does that make any sense?

Think of something else; I’m not ready to have her end my colorful life just yet.”

At this, Arthur couldn’t help but let out a helpless sigh, “Why do women always pay more attention to their appearance rather than trying to appear smarter?”

Upon hearing this, Eld snorted and adjusted his collar, “Simple!

It’s because most men are stupid, but only a few of them are blind.”

Arthur raised an eyebrow and asked, “So?

Which part do you belong to?”

“Hmph…” Eld waved his hand unconcernedly, “Arthur, I’m very self-aware in that respect.”

“Thank God.” Arthur took the newspaper that had a big chunk cut out of it from his hands, “The University of London was not established to provide you with this kind of education.”

Agares, who was looking at the scenery from the carriage window, mocked with a whistle, “Wow!

The educational philosophy of the University of London truly is inclusive, allowing stupid men and romance-blind fools to sit in the classroom on an equal footing.”

Arthur glanced at the Red Devil, but before he and Eld could continue discussing whether they were blind or not, Eld had already forgotten his sister’s troubles.

The lad was full of anticipation about what kind of romantic encounters he might have at the gathering: “Oh!

Arthur, if I were to find love at the ball, should I accept it gracefully, or should I reject it mercilessly?

What do you say?”

Arthur, flipping through the newspaper, said, “If this happened before I went after Fred, I might have advised you to decline since you’re about to set sail on a world voyage soon, and it will be five or six years.

Time might hurt the feelings between you and your partner.

But after boarding the Beagle, now, my attitude has changed.”

Eld was puzzled, “Why?”

Arthur put down the newspaper and replied earnestly, “Because as your good friend, I’d rather see you have a relationship with a human than with a fish.

Eld, you need to reflect on yourself; if you keep this up, you’ll end up in Hell eventually!”

“Oh!

Arthur!” Eld was somewhat moved, “You finally understand why I always have those urges.

It’s not a problem with my personal character, but a common trait among sailors who make a living at sea.”

“I completely understand you, and I’ve finally realized why they need to bring a Priest on board the Beagle.”

Arthur said, “Colonel Fitzroy made Charles join the Beagle so he could substitute God and forgive you at any time.

Eld, take my advice and confess to Charles promptly after you err, to lighten your sins.

You have to go to Heaven after you die, you mustn’t end up in Hell.”