| 310 | 311 | 312 | 313 | 314 |
| 1 | 85 | 170 | 255 | 340 |
|
inadequate precautions against breakage, and advanced with compressed
lips, curious lateral crouching movements, swift flashings of his
glasses, and a general suggestion of bull-fighting in his pose and
gestures. Uncle Jim was kept busy, and unable to plan his retreat with
any strategic soundness. He was moreover manifestly a little nervous
about the river in his rear. He gave ground in a curve, and so came
right across the rapidly abandoned camp of the family in mourning,
crunching a teacup under his heel, oversetting the teapot, and finally
tripping backwards over the hamper. The eel flew out at a tangent from
his hand and became a mere looping relic on the sward.
"
Hold him!" cried the gentleman in spectacles. "Collar him!" and
moving forward with extraordinary promptitude wrapped the best
tablecloth about Uncle Jim's arms and head. Mr. Polly grasped his
purpose instantly, the man in checks was scarcely slower, and in
another moment Uncle Jim was no more than a bundle of smothered
blasphemy and a pair of wildly active legs.
"
Duck him!" panted Mr. Polly, holding on to the earthquake. "Bes'
thing--duck him."
The bundle was convulsed by paroxysms of anger and protest. One boot
got the hamper and sent it ten yards.
"
Go in the house for a clothes line someone!" said the gentleman in
gold spectacles. "He'll get out of this in a moment."
12
3
Page
Quick Jump
|