Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 29, 2025
Leadbatter gave you. Then ten times as much as that, and ten times as much as all that" he spread his arms wider and wider "and ten times as much as all that, and then" here his arms were prematurely horizontal, so he concluded hastily but impressively "and then FIFTY times as much as all that. Do you understand how rich you are?" "Yessir."
Leadbatter and her best cap and her asthma, the week went by almost cheerfully. He worked regularly at the comic opera, nearly as happy as the canary which sang all day long, and, though scarcely a word more passed between him and Mary Ann, their eyes met ever and anon in the consciousness of a sweet secret. It was already Friday afternoon.
But the climax of the horror was the attendance of Mrs. Leadbatter at the lessons, for, to Lancelot's consternation, she took it for granted that her presence was part of the contract. She marched into the room in her best cap, and sat, smiling, in the easy-chair, wheezing complacently and beating time with her foot. Occasionally she would supplement Lancelot's critical observations.
Leadbatter, who was standing in the aperture with no immediate intention of departing, could find no repartee beyond slamming the door as hard as she could. This little passage of arms strangely softened Lancelot to Mary Ann. It made him realise faintly what her life must be. "I should go mad and smash all the crockery!" he cried aloud. He felt quite tender again towards the uncomplaining girl.
Leadbatter," said the vicar, wiping his spectacles. As part of Baker's Terrace, Lancelot witnessed the departure from his window, for he had not left after all. Beethoven was barking his short, snappy bark the whole time at the unwonted noises and the unfamiliar footsteps; he almost extinguished the canary, though that was clamorous enough. "Shut up, you noisy little devils!" growled Lancelot.
Beneath the mingled emotions her words caused him was a sense of surprise at her recollection of his metaphor. "Hush! You're a silly little child," he repeated sternly. "Hush! or Mrs. Leadbatter will hear you." He went to the door and closed it tightly. "Listen, Mary Ann! Let me tell you once for all that even if you were fool enough to be willing to go with me, I wouldn't take you with me.
I only have it on hire, and I I " He felt himself blushing. "Oh, what a pity!" interrupted Mrs. Leadbatter. "You might as well let me go on payin' the hinstalments, instead of lettin' all you've paid go for nothing. Rosie ain't got much time, but I could allow 'er a 'our a day if it was my own pianner." Lancelot explained "hire" did not mean the "hire system."
Leadbatter was taken aback by this obverse view of the situation; but recovering herself, she shook her head. "I wouldn't cry for no brother that lef me to starve when he was rollin' in two and a 'arf million dollars," she said sceptically. "And I'm sure my Rosie wouldn't. But she never 'ad nobody to leave her money, poor dear child, except me, please Gaud.
See you again when I come back; don't suppose I shall be away more than a month. Good-by!" And, having shaken his hand with tremendous cordiality, the popular composer rushed downstairs and into a hansom. Lancelot walked home with the libretto and the five five-pound notes. He asked for Mrs. Leadbatter, and gave her a week's notice.
Leadbatter was extremely economical, as much so with the provisions in her charge as with those she bought for herself. She sedulously sent up remainders till they were expressly countermanded. Less economical by nature, and hungrier by habit, Mary Ann had much trouble in restraining herself from surreptitious pickings.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking