The Parent's Assistant; Or, Stories for ChildrenEdgeworth, Maria
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The Parent's Assistant; Or, Stories for Children
Edgeworth, Maria
Children's stories; Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction
_Land._ Oh, no, your worship!—I thank your worship, though, as much as
if I took it; but I just took my luncheon before I came up; or more
proper, _my sandwich_, I should say, for the fashion’s sake, to be sure.
A _luncheon_ won’t go down with nobody nowadays (_laughs_). I expect
hostler and boots will be calling for their sandwiches just now (_laughs
again_). I’m sure I beg your worship’s pardon for mentioning a
_luncheon_.
_Just._ Oh, Mrs. Bustle, the word’s a good word, for it means a good
thing—ha! ha! ha! (_pulls out his watch_); but pray, is it luncheon time.
Why, it’s past one, I declare; and I thought I was up in remarkably good
time, too.
_Land._ Well, and to be sure so it was, remarkably good time for your
worship; but folks in our way must be up betimes, you know. I’ve been up
and about these seven hours!
_Just._ (_stretching_). Seven hours!
_Land._ Ay, indeed—eight, I might say, for I am an early little body;
though I say it that should not say it—I _am_ an early little body.
_Just._ An early little body, as you say, Mrs. Bustle; so I shall have
my goose-pie for dinner, hey?
_Land._ For dinner, as sure as the clock strikes four—but I mustn’t stay
prating, for it may be spoiling if I’m away; so I must wish your worship
a good morning. (_She curtsies_.)
_Just._ No ceremony—no ceremony; good Mrs. Bustle, your servant.
_Enter_ WILLIAM, _to take away the chocolate_. _The Landlady is putting
on her shawl_.
_Just._ You may let that man know, William, that I have dispatched my
_own_ business, and am at leisure for his now (_taking a pinch of
snuff_). Hum! pray, William (_Justice leans back gravely_), what sort of
a looking fellow is he, pray?
_Will._ Most like a sort of travelling man, in my opinion, sir—or
something that way, I take it.
(_At these words the landlady turns round inquisitively_, _and delays_,
_that she may listen_, _while she is putting on and pinning her shawl_.)
_Just._ Hum! a sort of a travelling man. Hum! lay my books out open at
the title Vagrant; and, William, tell the cook that Mrs. Bustle promises
me the goose-pie for dinner. Four o’clock, do you hear? And show the
old man in now.
(_The Landlady looks eagerly towards the door_, _as it opens_, _and
exclaims_,)
_Land._ My old gentleman, as I hope to breathe!
_Enter the_ OLD MAN.
(_Lucy follows the Old Man on tiptoe_—_The Justice leans back and looks
consequential_—_The Landlady sets her arms akimbo_—_The Old Man starts as
he sees her_.)
_Just._ What stops you, friend? Come forward, if you please.
_Land._ (_advancing_). So, sir, is it you, sir? Ay, you little thought,
I warrant ye, to meet me here with his worship; but there you reckoned
without your host—Out of the frying-pan into the fire.
_Just._ What is all this? What is this?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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