United States or French Polynesia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Prize-giving time came, and the younger Miss Clomber, who was to present them, tried to persuade Reddin to go up on the platform, a lorry with chairs on it. There already were Mr. James and the secretary, counting the prize-money. Below stood the winners, Vessons conspicuous in his red waistcoat. Miss Clomber felt that she looked well.
Early next morning, while the finch still dreamed its heavy dream and the mice were still motionless balls, Hazel was awakened by a knock at the massive oak door. She ran across and opened it a crack, peering out from amid her hair like a squirrel from autumn leaves. Vessons stood there with a pint mug of beer, which he proffered. But Hazel had a woman's craving for tea.
Vessons glared for a moment; then, realizing defeat, turned on his heel and went to feed the calves. He had an ingenious way of getting the calves in. He had no dog; it was one of his dreams to have one. But he managed very well.
Vessons traded on this, and invariably said and did exactly what he liked. When Hazel got in, her father had finished his breakfast and was busy at work. 'Brought the wreath-frames? he asked, without looking up. 'Ah. 'He's jead at last. At the turn of the night. They came after the coffin but now. I'll be able to get them there new section crates I wanted.
'If so be the kettle's boiling, she said apologetically. 'Tay! said Vessons. 'Laws! how furiously the women do rage after tay! I s'pose it's me as is to make it? 'If kettle's boiling. 'Kettle! O' course kettle's boiling this hour past. Or how would the ca'ves get their meal? 'Well, you needna shout. You'll wake 'im. Fright was in her eyes, strong and inexplicable to herself.
But Vessons was, as he would have phrased it himself, 'in full honey-flow, and not to be silenced. 'Single she be, and single she'd ought to stay. This 'ere rubbitch of kissing and clipping! 'But, Vessons, if there were no children gotten, the world'd be empty. 'Let 'un be. 'Im above'll get a bit of rest, nights, from their sins. 'Eh, I like that old chap, thought Hazel.
'I'll 'ave no woman over me! said Vessons sullenly. 'Never will I! Never a missus did I take, not for all the pleasures of bed and board no, ne'er a one I ever took. Maiden I am to my dying day. The coupling of the ideas of Vessons and maidenhood was so funny that Reddin burst out laughing and forgot his anger. 'Now, make that tea, Vessons. 'She unna be here long? asked Vessons craftily.
Wire to him. 'It'll take me the best part of two hour to go and telegrapht. And it cosses money. And dinner at the auction cosses money. 'Oh! cried Reddin with intense irritation, 'take this, you fool! He flung his purse at Vessons. 'Well, well, thought Vessons, 'I mun yumour 'im. He's fretched along of her marrying the minister. "Long live the minister!" says Andrew.
It's Andrew this and Andrew that, and a terrible strong smell of flowers enough for a burying. Vessons waited eagerly for his opportunity; but Reddin was afraid to leave Hazel alone, in case she might see Sally; so September came and drew out its shining span of days, and still Vessons and Sally were waiting.
Marston. Suddenly, by some strange necromancy, there was conjured in Hazel's mind a picture of Reddin flushed, hard-eyed, with an expression that aroused in her misgiving and even terror. So she had seen him just before she fled to Vessons. At the remembrance she flushed so deeply that Mrs. Marston congratulated herself on the fact that her daughter-in-law had some modesty and right feeling.
Word Of The Day