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“No idea I could,” explained Andrew.
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Brewster joined the group.
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1705040254
“Well, that’s my last half mile,” he said. “Never had to move so fast in my life before.”
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But he was obviously pleased. He had finished about ten yards behind Redbrooke and must have done about two two or two three.
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Now Andrew began to enjoy himself thoroughly. Gloriously relaxed in mind and body, gloriously contented, he watched the other events. He made new friends. Then he went in and soaked himself in a steaming bath and smoked, shouting to Brewster in the next compartment. Life was very kind.
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He came out on to the ground, chatted with everyone he saw: discussed his race a dozen times: had three or four beers
:spent a few shillings with wild extravagance. He saw, to his amazement, Redbrooke turn out again for the quarter and fight another grueling finish to win by inches in fifty-one and a fifth seconds. Andrew was the first to pat him on the back.
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“Great work,” he said. “How you managed it after that half beats me!”
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“Oh, well,” said Redbrooke, “it loosened me up. Why didn’t you come, lazy devil?”
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In the bus going home, Andrew leant back and puffed deeply at his pipe. Alone for the first time, he went over the race in his mind. Well, he had done it. He could tackle anything on earth now.
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After all running was a thing men had always done. Football, other games, came and went. A good runner was a good runner for all time—with hundreds and hundreds of years of kinship behind him. And he, Andrew, was a good runner. A class runner. One fifty-nine. Damn good!
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His head was slightly swimming with fatigue and excitement and beer. He leant back and sighed—as happy as it is possible to be on this planet.
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Notes
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1705040274
hooters, whistles of the various potteries.
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1705040276
potteries, shops or factories where earthern ware is made.
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1705040278
Royal Chorley, the name of the pottery where Andrew worked as dipper.
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1705040280
the half mile, the half mile or the 880-yds. race.
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1705040282
self-consciously, as if conscious of oneself as an object of the observation of others.
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1705040284
one fifty-eight, one minute fifty-eight seconds, for the half mile.
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1705040286
class running, good running; high-class running.
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1705040288
two four, two minutes four seconds for the half mile.
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1705040290
trot, a jogging pace, not so fast, for warming up.
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1705040292
Club races, races conducted by various clubs, organizations, or associations.
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1705040294
final, a deciding heat, or trial.
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1705040296
cross-country, generally a long-distance race over country roads.
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four thirty mile, running a mile in 4 minutes 30 seconds.
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