Part 34 (2/2)
”Anybody would ha' thought I was hurting 'im by the noise he made,” said the impenitent Mr. Russell.
”I-I'm surprised at you, Bill,” said Mr. Vickers, nervously.
”Put him outside,” cried Selina, stamping her foot.
”You'd better get off 'ome, Bill,” said Mr. Vickers, with a persuasive wink.
”While you're safe,” added his daughter, with a threatening gesture.
”Go and get yourself 'arf a pint o' warm lemonade,” chimed in the voice of the daring Joseph.
Mr. Russell stepped towards him, but Mr. Vickers, seizing him by the coat, held him back and implored him to remember where he was.
”I'd b.u.mp the lot of you for two pins,” said the disappointed Mr.
Russell, longingly. ”And it'ud do you good; you'd all be the better for it. You'd know 'ow to behave to people when they come in to see you, then. As for Selina, I wouldn't marry her now for all her money.”
”Money?” said the irate Selina, scornfully. ”What money?”
”The money in the paper,” said Mr. Russell, with a diabolical leer in the direction of the unfortunate Mr. Vickers. ”The paper what your father found in your box. Didn't he tell you?”
He kicked over a chair which stood in his way and, with a reckless swagger, strode to the door. At the ”Horse and Groom,” where he spent the remainder of the evening, he was so original in his remarks upon women that two unmarried men offered to fight him, and were only appeased by hearing a full and true account of the circ.u.mstances responsible for so much bitterness.
CHAPTER XVII
TRIED!” said Captain Bowers, indignantly. ”I have tried, over and over again, but it's no use.”
”Have you tried the right way?” suggested Edward Tredgold.
”I've tried every way,” replied Captain Bowers, impatiently.
”We must think of another, then,” said the imperturbable Edward. ”Have some more beef?” The captain pa.s.sed his plate up. ”You should have seen her when I said that I was coming to supper with you this evening,” he said, impressively. Mr. Tredgold laid down the carving knife and fork.
”What did she say?” he inquired, eagerly. ”Grunted,” said the captain.
”Nonsense,” said the other, sharply.
”I tell you she did,” retorted the captain. ”She didn't say a word; just grunted.”
”I know what you mean,” said Mr. Tredgold; ”only you are not using the right word.”
”All right,” said the captain, resignedly; ”I don't know a grunt when I hear it, then; that's all. She generally does grunt if I happen to mention your name.”
Mr. Tredgold resumed his meal and sat eating in silence. The captain, who was waiting for more beef, became restless.
”I hope my plate isn't in your way,” he said, at last.
”Not at all,” said the other, absently.
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