"
He felt his way to a bookstand that supported a pile of sketch-books,
and wrenched out one of the mahogany pillars.
He felt his way to a bookstand that supported a pile of sketch-books,
and wrenched out one of the mahogany pillars.
Kipling - Poems
Oh, but it's long and long to wait! Good-bye, Bessie,--send Beeton here
as you go out. "
The housekeeper came.
"What are all the fittings of my rooms worth? " said Dick, imperiously.
"'Tisn't for me to say, sir. Some things is very pretty and some is wore
out dreadful. "
"I'm insured for two hundred and seventy. "
"Insurance policies is no criterion, though I don't say----"
"Oh, damn your longwindedness! You've made your pickings out of me and
the other tenants. Why, you talked of retiring and buying a public-house
the other day. Give a straight answer to a straight question. "
"Fifty," said Mr. Beeton, without a moment's hesitation.
"Double it; or I'll break up half my sticks and burn the rest.
"
He felt his way to a bookstand that supported a pile of sketch-books,
and wrenched out one of the mahogany pillars.
"That's sinful, sir," said the housekeeper, alarmed.
"It's my own. One hundred or----"
"One hundred it is. It'll cost me three and six to get that there
pilaster mended. "
"I thought so. What an out and out swindler you must have been to spring
that price at once! "
"I hope I've done nothing to dissatisfy any of the tenants, least of all
you, sir. "
"Never mind that. Get me the money tomorrow, and see that all my clothes
are packed in the little brown bullock-trunk. I'm going. "
"But the quarter's notice? "
"I'll pay forfeit. Look after the packing and leave me alone. "
Mr. Beeton discussed this new departure with his wife, who decided that
Bessie was at the bottom of it all.
