Stories by English Authors: London (Selected by Scribners)

Name: Stories by English Authors: London (Selected by Scribners)
Author: F., 1856-1934 [Contributor] Anstey

by F., 1856-1934 [Contributor] Anstey

Pages: about 133
Category: Literature & Fiction
Language: English
Reading time: 2.4 h at 250 wpm

Start readingThe whole book, as cards or one word at a time. 81 min at 450 wpm in Read mode.

From the opening

“I beg your pardon for speaking of her,” he had the grace to say, “but I couldn’t help slipping up to the window often yesterday to look for Jenny, and when she did come, and I saw she was crying, it--it sort of confused me, and I didn’t know right, sir, what I was doing. I hit against a member, Mr. Myddleton Finch, and he--he jumped and swore at me. Well, sir, I had just touched him after all, and I was so miserable, it a kind of stung me to be treated like--like that, and me a man as well as him; and I lost my senses, and--and I swore back.”
William’s shamed head sank on his chest, but I even let pass his insolence in likening himself to a member of the club, so afraid was I of the sleepers waking and detecting me in talk with a waiter.
“For the love of God,” William cried, with coarse emotion, “don’t let them dismiss me!”
“I was turned out of the dining-room at once, and told to attend to the library until they had decided what to do with me. Oh, sir, I’ll lose my place!”
He was blubbering, as if a change of waiters, was a matter of importance.
“This is very bad, William,” I said. “I fear I can do nothing for you.”
“Have mercy on a distracted man!” he entreated. “I’ll go on my knees to Mr. Myddleton Finch.”
How could I but despise a fellow who would be thus abject for a pound a week?
“I dare not tell her,” he continued, “that I have lost my place. She would just fall back and die.”
“I forbade your speaking of your wife,” I said, sharply, “unless you can speak pleasantly of her.”
“But she may be worse now, sir, and I cannot even see Jenny from here. The library windows look to the back.”

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Stories by English Authors: London (Selected by Scribners)

From the opening

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