The Innocents Abroad


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House to register their several titles and impoverish the bill of fare;  
and they told us to go over to the little variety store near the Hall of  
Justice and buy some kid gloves. They said they were elegant and very  
moderate in price. It seemed a stylish thing to go to the theater in kid  
gloves, and we acted upon the hint. A very handsome young lady in the  
store offered me a pair of blue gloves. I did not want blue, but she  
said they would look very pretty on a hand like mine. The remark touched  
me tenderly. I glanced furtively at my hand, and somehow it did seem  
rather a comely member. I tried a glove on my left and blushed a little.  
Manifestly the size was too small for me. But I felt gratified when she  
said:  
"
Oh, it is just right!" Yet I knew it was no such thing.  
I tugged at it diligently, but it was discouraging work. She said:  
"
Ah! I see you are accustomed to wearing kid gloves--but some gentlemen  
are so awkward about putting them on."  
It was the last compliment I had expected. I only understand putting on  
the buckskin article perfectly. I made another effort and tore the glove  
from the base of the thumb into the palm of the hand--and tried to hide  
the rent. She kept up her compliments, and I kept up my determination to  
deserve them or die:  
"Ah, you have had experience! [A rip down the back of the hand.] They  
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Page
81 82 83 84 85

Quick Jump
1 187 374 560 747