The House on the Beach by George Meredith
page 65 of 124 (52%)
page 65 of 124 (52%)
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repeated it with the fresh elegance of, such sweet sayings when
transfused through the native mind: "He said, I like as it was what you would call a young gal's blush at a kiss round a corner." The epicurean baronet had the habit of talking in that way. Herbert drank to his memory. He was well-filled; he had no work to do, and he was exuberant in spirits, as Mrs. Crickledon knew her countrymen should and would be under those conditions. And suddenly he drew his hand across a forehead so wrinkled and dark, that Mrs. Crickledon exclaimed, "Heart or stomach?" "Oh, no," said he. "I'm sound enough in both, I hope." That old Tinman's up to one of his games," she observed. "Do you think so?" "He's circumventing Miss Annette Smith." "Pooh! Crickledon. A man of his age can't be seriously thinking of proposing for a young lady." He's a well-kept man. He's never racketed. He had n't the rackets in him. And she may n't care for him. But we hear things drop." "What things have you heard drop, Crickledon? In a profound silence you may hear pins; in a hubbub you may hear cannon-balls. But I never |
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