Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens
page 99 of 1288 (07%)
page 99 of 1288 (07%)
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was named after, or in some sort related to, the Abbey at Westminster.
But, Abbey was only short for Abigail, by which name Miss Potterson had been christened at Limehouse Church, some sixty and odd years before. 'Now, you mind, you Riderhood,' said Miss Abbey Potterson, with emphatic forefinger over the half-door, 'the Fellowship don't want you at all, and would rather by far have your room than your company; but if you were as welcome here as you are not, you shouldn't even then have another drop of drink here this night, after this present pint of beer. So make the most of it.' 'But you know, Miss Potterson,' this was suggested very meekly though, 'if I behave myself, you can't help serving me, miss.' 'CAN'T I!' said Abbey, with infinite expression. 'No, Miss Potterson; because, you see, the law--' 'I am the law here, my man,' returned Miss Abbey, 'and I'll soon convince you of that, if you doubt it at all.' 'I never said I did doubt it at all, Miss Abbey.' 'So much the better for you.' Abbey the supreme threw the customer's halfpence into the till, and, seating herself in her fireside-chair, resumed the newspaper she had been reading. She was a tall, upright, well-favoured woman, though severe of countenance, and had more of the air of a schoolmistress than mistress of the Six Jolly Fellowship Porters. The man on the other side |
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