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The chief purpose of the small apartment, however, was indicated by the two big, round, low-seated easy-chairs before the hearth, and by the cigar boxes and spirit-stand and tumblers visible behind the glass of the cabinet against the wall. Thorpe himself called the room his "snuggery," and spent many hours there in slippered comfort, smoking and gazing contentedly into the fire.
The mantelpiece, reaching nearly to the ceiling, was of oak, framing mirrors of bevelled glass; and on the numerous shelves, cups, saucers, and vases of old and valuable china were placed. There was also a gilt clock, a handsome sideboard, and a neat smoking-table, on which stood a cut-glass spirit-stand and a box of cigars.
"Walk into the cabin, gentlemen, and let's liquor a bit," said he, as we stepped on board, showing us the way before we had time to reply. The cabin, to our eyes, looked luxuriously furnished, and not unwelcome was the repast of cold beef and ham and fine biscuits which the steward placed speedily before us, not forgetting a spirit-stand with four tall bottles.
She did not talk incoherently, and yet she could not rise. 'Is it Mr. Alfred, ma'am? Shall I take him some brandy? I hope he isn't ill, ma'am? he said in a breath. 'Mr. Alfred, you fool! He's been dead drunk in bed for more than an hour. Where's the brandy? Why don't you leave the spirit-stand out, you miserly thief?
Henson had seen society ladies doing this kind of thing before with well-concealed contempt. So long as people liked to play his game for him he had no objection. But this was quite different. Merrit had warmed a little under the influence of his fifth glass of champagne, but his eye looked lovingly and longingly in the direction of a silver spirit-stand on the sideboard.
Then on that white, soft, spacious bed, a gold-coloured mat being laid, a spirit-stand was placed thereon, and the sunset-coloured liquid goddess poured into the power-giving decanter. A cut-glass tumbler and plated jug served as utensils for worship. From the kitchen a black, ugly priest came, bearing hot dishes of roast mutton and cutlets to take the place of the sacred flowers.
Couldn't you sit up late without getting at my spirit-stand? What is it brandy?" "That it ain't, sir! I never touched a drop!" cried Jerry, indignantly. "Don't, sir! You hurt me!" "Hurt you? Yes, you dog, I mean to! You hurt me pretty well! Why, you're as drunk as a piper!" "Tell you I ain't, sir!" cried Jerry. "I took four cups o' coffee to keep me awake. That's all.
The Tantalus spirit-stand stood upon the walnut sideboard, and the bronzes from the cricket-club looked splendid upon each side of the mantelpiece. Beside the clock in the centre lay an open telegram. Frank seized it eagerly. 'There now! he cried. 'Listen to this. "Expect us on Thursday evening about ten." It was TUESDAY evening, I said. That's the telegraphic clerk.
This apartment was apparently used as a dining-room, for it contained a large table, a few chairs, a small sideboard, a spirit-stand, a case of books and ornaments, and two small oak presses. Plainly, there was no place in it where a man could hide himself. The next room was the bathroom, which was also empty.
Sir Stephen's face flushed at his son's praise, as a girl's might have done; but he laughed it off. "Only so, so, Staff. I don't play half as good a game as you and Mr. Howard. How should I? Mr. Howard, there is the spirit-stand. You'll help yourself? Servants are a nuisance in a billiard-room."
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