Ragged Lady — Volume 1 by William Dean Howells
page 59 of 114 (51%)
page 59 of 114 (51%)
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apparently suffered no chill, but was really a rising rebellion. "How
much ah' the slippas?" "Three dollas," said the shoeman in a surprise which he could not conceal at Clementina's courage. She laughed, and stooped to untie the slippers. "That's too much for me." "Let me untie 'em, Clem," said the big girl. "It's a shame for you eva to take 'em off." "That's right, lady," said the shoeman. "And you don't eva need to," he added, to Clementina, "unless you object to sleepin' in 'em. You pay me what you want to now, and the rest when I come around the latta paht of August." "Oh keep 'em, Clem!" the big girl urged, passionately, and the rest joined her with their entreaties. "I guess I betta not," said Clementina, and she completed the work of taking off the slippers in which the big girl could lend her no further aid, such was her affliction of spirit. "All right, lady," said the shoeman. "Them's youa slippas, and I'll just keep 'em for you till the latta paht of August." He drove away, and in the woods which he had to pass through on the road to another hotel he overtook the figure of a man pacing rapidly. He easily recognized Gregory, but he bore him no malice. "Like a lift?" he asked, slowing up beside him. |
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