Mr. Meeson's Will by H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard
page 20 of 235 (08%)
page 20 of 235 (08%)
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A couple of glasses of brown sherry and a few sandwiches, which he
hastily swallowed at a neighboring restaurant, quickly restored him, however; and, jumping into a cab, he drove post haste to his lawyers', Messrs. Todd and James. "Is Mr. Todd in?" he said to the managing clerk, who came forward bowing obsequiously to the richest man in Birmingham. "Mr. Todd will be disengaged in a few minutes, Sir," he said. "May I offer you the _Times_?" "Damn the _Times_!" was the polite answer; "I don't come here to read newspapers. Tell Mr. Todd I must see him at once, or else I shall go elsewhere." "I am much afraid Sir"--began the managing clerk. Mr. Meeson jumped up and grabbed his hat. "Now then, which is it to be?" he said. "Oh, certainly, Sir; pray be seated," answered the manager in great alarm--Meeson's business was not a thing to be lightly lost. "I will see Mr. Todd instantly," and he vanished. Almost simultaneously with his departure an old lady was unceremoniously bundled out of an inner room, clutching feebly at a reticule full of papers and proclaiming loudly that her head was going round and round. The poor old soul was just altering her will for the eighteenth time in favor of a brand new charity, highly recommended by Royalty; and to be suddenly shot from the revered presence of her lawyer out into the outer |
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