Part 9 (2/2)
”He becomes quite unbearable,” whispered one lady doll to another
”Quite,” she replied in the same tone
The Hansom-driver smiled as he saw the so remarks about himself
”Speak out, ladies,” he said
But they turned away in silent anger
Most people would have been annoyed at this behavior Not so the Hansoreat vanity he completely hed ”Doubtless too great a one to be said aloud”
”You needn't fancy _that_,” said the Butcher rudely ”You hear a good many compliments, I don't deny, but they all come from the saet few enough, that I know for a positive fact”
”Not that there is anything surprising in it,” the Baker said to the Hansom-driver in quite as rude a manner as the Butcher ”I am not yet aware that you are a subject for compliments”
”'My face is reat conceit; ”and a very handsome fortune, too,” he added
”Your face!” exclaimed the Butcher ”Why, a sheep's face isto differ,” the Hanso his head ”I've never yet seen a really good-looking face ast a flock of sheep”
”So you actually think yours is good-looking?” sneered the Baker ”Why, I could h”
”I defy you to,” the Hansom-driver replied ”A face like mine is not easily copied Nor am I the only person of that opinion All the ladies think that I ao by what they think”
”And who,” he asked, with a boards a little group of lady dolls, ”who can be better judges of the ?” inquired the Clown ”Get along, you dreamer!”
”I do not think it, I know it,” he replied
”We don't,” said the Butcher and the Baker ”Put it to the proof We challenge you Let the ladies vote upon the matter and they will prove you mistaken”
”Very well,” answered the Hansom-driver ”The result will be favorable to ht! To business,” said the Butcher ”What about the ladies'
decision as to this fellow's claiiven?” inquired the Hansoht at the earliest,” said the Clown ”The s, requires plenty of thought and preparation”
”Good!” said the Hansoot up upon the seat of his hanso the fortnight he was, if possible,vain speeches respecting his looks, and could indeed be induced to speak of nothing else