| 187 | 188 | 189 | 190 | 191 |
| 1 | 198 | 396 | 594 | 792 |
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'‘Hem!’ said Tom Smart.
'The widow began to think it was high time to cry, so she took out her
handkerchief, and inquired whether Tom wished to insult her,
whether he thought it like a gentleman to take away the character of
another gentleman behind his back, why, if he had got anything to
say, he didn't say it to the man, like a man, instead of terrifying a poor
weak woman in that way; and so forth.
'
‘I'll say it to him fast enough,’ said Tom, ‘only I want you to hear it
first.’
'
‘What is it?’ inquired the widow, looking intently in Tom's
countenance.
'
'
‘I'll astonish you,’ said Tom, putting his hand in his pocket.
‘If it is, that he wants money,’ said the widow, ‘I know that already,
and you needn't trouble yourself.’ '‘Pooh, nonsense, that's nothing,’
said Tom Smart, ‘I want money. 'Tain't that.’
'‘Oh, dear, what can it be?’ exclaimed the poor widow.
'
‘Don't be frightened,’ said Tom Smart. He slowly drew forth the letter,
and unfolded it. ‘You won't scream?’ said Tom doubtfully.
'
'
'
'
‘No, no,’ replied the widow; ‘let me see it.’
‘You won't go fainting away, or any of that nonsense?’ said Tom.
‘No, no,’ returned the widow hastily.
‘And don't run out, and blow him up,’ said Tom; ‘because I'll do all
that for you. You had better not exert yourself.’
'‘Well, well,’ said the widow, ‘let me see it.’
'
‘I will,’ replied Tom Smart; and, with these words, he placed the letter
in the widow's hand.
'
Gentlemen, I have heard my uncle say, that Tom Smart said the
widow's lamentations when she heard the disclosure would have
pierced a heart of stone. Tom was certainly very tender- hearted, but
they pierced his, to the very core. The widow rocked herself to and fro,
and wrung her hands.
'
‘Oh, the deception and villainy of the man!’ said the widow.
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