60 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 |
1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
waistcoat and down his right leg, reached his toes again, and carefully
surveyed him; this done, he crossed over, and coming up the other
legt and thence approaching by the waistcoat as before, said when
had got to his eyes, 'No sir, I haven't.:'
'
Oh, indeed, sir!' said Mr Cheggs. 'I'm glad to hear it. You know where
I'm to be found, I suppose, sir, in case you should have anything to
say to me?'
'
'
'
I can easily inquire, sir, when I want to know.'
There's nothing more we need say, I believe, sir?'
Nothing more, sir' - With that they closed the tremendous dialog by
frowning mutually. Mr Cheggs hastened to tender his hand to Miss
Sophy, and Mr Swiviller sat himself down in a corner in a very moody
state.
Hard by this corner, Mrs Wackles and Miss Wackles were seated,
looking on at the dance; and unto Mrs and Miss Wackles, Miss Cheggs
occasionally darted when her partner was occupied with his share of
the figure, and made some remark or other which was gall and
wormword to Richard Swiviller's soul. Looking into the eyes of Mrs
and Miss Wackles for encouragement, and sitting very upright and
uncomfortable on a couple of hard stools, were two of the day-
scholars; and when Miss Wackles smiled, and Mrs Wackles smiled,
the two little girls on the stools sought to curry favour by smiling
likewise, in gracious acknowledgement of which attention the old lady
frowned them down instantly, and said that if they dared to be guilty
of such an impertinence again, they should be sent under convoy to
their respective homes. This threat caused one of the young ladies,
she being of a weak and trembling temperament, to shed tears, and
for this offense they were both filed off immediately, with a dreadful
promptitude that struck terror into the souls of all the pupils.
'
'
I've got such news for you,' said Miss Cheggs approaching once more,
Alick has been saying such things to Sophy. Upon my word, you
know, it's quite serious and in earnest, that's clear.'
'
'
What's he been saying, my dear?' demanded Mrs Wackles.
All manner of things,' replied Miss Cheggs, 'you can't think how out
he has been speaking!'
Richard Swiviller considered it advisable to hear no more, but taking
advantage of a pause in the dancing, and the approach of Mr Cheggs
to pay his court to the old lady, swaggered with an extremely careful
assumption of extreme carelessness toward the door, passing on the
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