Book-bot.com - read famous books online for free

Diary of a Pilgrimage by Jerome K. (Jerome Klapka) Jerome
page 77 of 154 (50%)
He has a rather curious smile, has my friend. He himself is under
the impression that there is something very winning in it, though,
also, as he admits, a touch of sadness. They use it in his family
for keeping the children in order.

The people of the inn seemed rather astonished at his behaviour.
They regarded him, with troubled looks, and then gathered together
among themselves and consulted in whispers.

"I evidently have not made myself sufficiently clear to these simple
peasants," said my friend to himself. "I must put more vigour into
this show."

Accordingly he rubbed and patted that part of himself to which I
have previously alluded--and which, being a modest and properly
brought-up young man, nothing on earth shall induce me to mention
more explicitly--with greater energy than ever, and added another
inch or two of smile; and he also made various graceful movements
indicative, as he thought, of friendly feeling and contentment.

At length a ray of intelligence burst upon the faces of his hosts,
and they rushed to a cupboard and brought out a small black bottle.

"Ah! that's done it," thought my friend. "Now they have grasped my
meaning. And they are pleased that I am pleased, and are going to
insist on my drinking a final friendly bumper of wine with them, the
good old souls!"

They brought the bottle over, and poured out a wineglassful, and
handed it to him, making signs that he should drink it off quickly.
DigitalOcean Referral Badge