The Adventures Harry Richmond — Volume 2 by George Meredith
page 31 of 102 (30%)
page 31 of 102 (30%)
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'Pull the pony's mane,' said I; 'that will do as well. Observe--I pull, and now you pull.' Janet mechanically followed my actions. She grimaced, and whimpered, 'I could pull the pony's mane right out.' 'Don't treat animals like your dolls,' said I. She ran to the squire, and refused the pony. The squire's face changed from merry to black. 'Young man,' he addressed me, 'don't show that worse half of yours in genteel society, or, by the Lord! you won't carry Beltham buttons for long. This young lady, mind you, is a lady by birth both sides.' 'She thinks she is marriageable,' said I; and walked away, leaving loud laughter behind me. But laughter did not console me for the public aspersion of him I loved. I walked off the grounds, and thought to myself it was quite time I should be moving. Wherever I stayed for any length of time I was certain to hear abuse of my father. Why not wander over the country with Kiomi, go to sea, mount the Andes, enlist in a Prussian regiment, and hear the soldiers tell tales of Frederick the Great? I walked over Kiomi's heath till dark, when one of our grooms on horseback overtook me, saying that the squire begged me to jump on the horse and ride home as quick as possible. Two other lads and the coachman were out scouring the country to find me, and the squire was anxious, it appeared. I rode home like a wounded man made to feel proud by victory, but with no one to stop the |
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