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"That was written by a man in a drunken condition, a worthless fellow," I cried indignantly. "I know him." "That letter I received yesterday," Liza began to explain, flushing and speaking hurriedly. "I saw myself, at once, that it came from some foolish creature, and I haven't yet shown it to maman, for fear of upsetting her more. But if he is going to keep on like that, I don't know how to act.
They sat down on the grass, and the concert was begun by Harry, who played a solo; then there was a call for a song, and Jim stood up and sang that ancient ditty, 'O dem Golden Kippers, O'. There was no shyness in the company, and Liza, almost without being asked, gave another popular comic song. Then there was more concertina playing, and another demand for a song.
"Put the book down," said she, "what a lot of nonsense! Send it back to Prince Paul with my thanks.... But where is the carriage?" "The carriage is ready," said Lizaveta, looking out into the street. "How is it that you are not dressed?" said the Countess. "I must always wait for you. It is intolerable, my dear!" Liza hastened to her room.
'But I mustn't stay aht 'ere in the night air. ''As yer rheumatism been troublin' yer litely? asked Mrs. Stanley. 'Oh, cruel. Liza rubs me with embrocation every night, but it torments me cruel. Mrs. Kemp then went into the house, and Liza remained talking to Mrs. Stanley, she, too, had to go in, and Liza was left alone.
'Yer know, Liza, I'm earnin' twenty-three shillin's at the works now, an' I've got some furniture as mother left me when she was took. The girl said nothing. 'Liza, will you 'ave me? I'll make yer a good 'usband, Liza, swop me bob, I will; an' yer know I'm not a drinkin' sort. Liza, will yer marry me? 'Na, Tom, she answered quietly. 'Oh, Liza, won't you 'ave me? 'Na, Tom, I can't. 'Why not?
LÍZA. I said what I said. VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. No, don't you dare sneak out of it! Come, speak up! LÍZA. Why did you stick to it? All right, I'll tell you: like a spook. VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. What, what! Like a spook!... How do you dare, you dirty hussy, ha? What's this! You want to push me alive into the grave! But I'll find your lover here, and take you to the mistress.
I read the telegram, and my dismay does not last long. I am dismayed, not by what Liza and Gnekker have done, but by the indifference with which I hear of their marriage. They say philosophers and the truly wise are indifferent. It is false: indifference is the paralysis of the soul; it is premature death. I go to bed again, and begin trying to think of something to occupy my mind.
In another moment Liza was rolling up the sleeves of her gown, preparatory to the experimental exercise she had proposed to herself; but this was not a task that had the disadvantage of interrupting the flow of her gossip. "But I say, lass," she rattled on, "have you heard what that great gammerstang of a Mother Garth has been telling 'Becca Rudd about you?
'Liza Ann struggled up through the crowd of spectators and her Christmas treasure added to what Jimmy had, paid his fine and they went out of the court room together. When they were in their room again she put the boy to bed, for there was no fire and no coal to make one. Then she wrapped herself in a shabby shawl and sat huddled up over the empty stove.
'Where it'll be safe. 'Where's that? Liza was driven into a corner. 'Why d'you want ter know? she asked. 'Why shouldn't I know; d'you think I want ter steal it from yer? 'Na, not thet. 'Well, why won't you tell me? 'Oh, a thing's sifer when only one person knows where it is. This was a very discreet remark, but it set Mrs. Kemp in a whirlwind of passion.
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