This shorter companion turned about. He had a muffler loose about his neck
and chin. I thought he seemed shy and irresolute, and the tall man gave him
a great jolt with his elbow, which made him stagger, and I fancied a little
angry, for he said, as it seemed, a sulky word or two.
The gentleman in the white surtout, however, standing direct in our way,
raised his hat with a mock salutation, placing his hand on his breast,
and forthwith began to advance with an insolent grin and an air of tipsy
frolic.
'Jist in time, ladies; five minutes more and we'd a bin off. Thankee, Mrs.
Mouser, ma'am, for the honour of the meetin', and more particular for the
pleasure of making your young lady's acquaintance--niece, ma'am? daughter,
ma'am? granddaughter, by Jove, is it? Hallo! there, mild 'n, I say, stop
packin'.' This was to the ill-favoured person with the broken nose. 'Bring
us a couple o' glasses and a bottle o' curacoa; what are you fear'd on, my
dear? this is Lord Lollipop, here, a reg'lar charmer, wouldn't hurt a fly,
hey Lolly? Isn't he pretty, Miss? and I'm Sir Simon Sugarstick--so called
after old Sir Simon, ma'am; and I'm so tall and straight, Miss, and
slim--ain't I? and ever so sweet, my honey, when you come to know me, just
like a sugarstick; ain't I, Lolly, boy?'
'I'm Miss Ruthyn, tell them, Madame,' I said, stamping on the ground, and
very much frightened.
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