The Albany Depot : a Farce by William Dean Howells
page 4 of 35 (11%)
page 4 of 35 (11%)
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himself, and us, too, for that matter; he has that vulgar passion--I
don't know where he's picked it up--for wanting to pay everybody's way; and you'd never think of your Hundred-Trip ticket-book till it was too late. Do take your book out and hold it in your hand, so you'll be sure to remember it, as soon as you see Willis. You had better keep saying over to yourself, 'Willis--Hundred-Trip Tickets--Willis--Hundred-Trip Tickets;' that's the way _I_ do. Where _is_ the book? I have to remember everything! _Do_ keep your ticket-book in your hand, Edward, till Willis comes." Roberts: "But I want to read, Agnes, and I've got to hold my _Pop. Sci._ with one hand and keep your traps in my lap with the other. Did you find a cook?" Mrs. Roberts, with rapturous admiration of him: "Well, Edward, you _have_ got a brain! I declare, the cook had utterly gone out of my mind. Forgetting that plush bag makes me forget everything. I've got a splendid one--a perfect treasure. She won't do any of the wash, and we'll have to put that out; and she's been used to having a kitchen-maid; but she said we were such a small family that she could shell the pease herself. She's the most respectable-looking old thing you ever saw; and she's been having ten dollars a week from the last family she was in; but she'll come the summer with us for six. I was very fortunate to get her; all the good girls are snapped up for the sea-side in May, and they won't go into the country for love or money. It was the greatest chance! She's such a neat, quiet, lady-like person, and all the better for being Irish and a Catholic: Catholics _do_ give so much more of a flavor; and I never could associate that Nova Scotia, sunken-cheeked leanness of Maria's with a cook. This one's name is--well, I forget what her name is; Bridget, or Norah, or |
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