The Soldier of the Valley by Nelson Lloyd
page 91 of 207 (43%)
page 91 of 207 (43%)
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Young Spiker collapsed.
"'Lord Marmion turned; well was his need,'" I cried, "if Douglas ever addressed him in that fashion." "Now watch me, boys," I added. And with as much fire as I could kindle in so short a time and under conditions so dampening, I thundered the resounding lines: "'No, by St. Bride of Bothwell, no! Up drawbridge, grooms--what, warder, ho!'" "'Let the portcullis fall!'" This last command rang from the back of the room. Perry Thomas stood there smiling. "I couldn't have done it better myself, Mark," he said. "It's a splendid piece--that Manny-yon--ain't it--grand--noble. I love to say it." "Teacher Thomas, Teacher Thomas," came in the shrill voice of Chester Holmes, "ain't it Dooglas?" Perry was at my side, smiling benignly on the school. He really seemed to love the scholars; but Perry is a pious man, and seeks to follow the letter of the Scriptures, and the command is to love our enemies. "Doogulus--Doogulus," he said. "Of course, boys, it's Doogulus." The word seemed to taste good, he rolled it over and over so in his mouth. "Teacher Hope says you ain't such a fine speaker after all," cried Lulu Ann Nummler from the distant end of the bench. |
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