United States or Somalia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I was to do in the meanwhile was another question. Rowley had received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a friend, and Mrs. McRankine was not to expect me before morning. A good enough tale in itself; but the dreadful pickle I was in made it out of the question.
It led somehow to my lodgings, and my feet touched earth when the door was opened to me by Bethiah McRankine. "But where is Rowley?" I asked a moment later, looking round my sitting-room. Mrs. McRankine smiled sardonically. "Him? He came back rolling his eyes so that I guessed him to be troubled in the wind. And he's in bed this hour past with a spoonful of peppermint in his little wame."
Rowley for a glass of fashion and a mould of form was of course no new discovery: and the traditions of body-service allow nay, enjoin that when the gentleman goes a-wooing, the valet shall take a sympathetic wound. What could be more natural than that a gentleman of sixteen should select a lady of fifty for his first essay in the tender passion? Still Bethiah McRankine!
McRankine came courtin', and that's lang by-gane I mind I had a green gown, passementit, that was thocht to become me to admiration. I was nae just exactly what ye would ca' bonny; but I was pale, penetratin', and interestin'. And she leaned over the stair-rail with a candle to watch my descent as long as it should be possible. It was but a little party at Mr.
Interminable minutes followed, and at length Mrs. McRankine entered with my ball suit from the tailor's. I carried it into the next room, and disposed it on the bed olive-green coat with gilt buttons and facings of watered silk, olive-green pantaloons, white waistcoat sprigged with blue and green forget-me-nots. The survey carried me on to midday and the midday meal.
She admitted she had rooms to let even showed them to us a sitting-room and bedroom in a suite, commanding a fine prospect to the Firth and Fifeshire, and in themselves well proportioned and comfortably furnished, with pictures on the wall, shells on the mantelpiece, and several books upon the table, which I found afterwards to be all of a devotional character, and all presentation copies, "to my Christian friend," or "to my devout acquaintance in the Lord, Bethiah McRankine."
She admitted she had rooms to let even showed them to us a sitting-room and bedroom in a suite, commanding a fine prospect to the Firth and Fifeshire, and in themselves well proportioned and comfortably furnished, with pictures on the wall, shells on the mantelpiece, and several books upon the table which I found afterwards to be all of a devotional character, and all presentation copies, 'to my Christian friend, or 'to my devout acquaintance in the Lord, Bethiah McRankine. Beyond this my 'Christian friend' could not be made to advance: no, not even to do that which seemed the most natural and pleasing thing in the world I mean to name her price but stood before us shaking her head, and at times mourning like the dove, the picture of depression and defence.
But I'll never do it again, strike me sky-blue scarlet!" "In so far as that differed from your present colouring, I believe," said I, "it would be an improvement." "Never again, Mr. Anne." "Certainly not, Rowley. Even to good men this may happen once: beyond that, carelessness shades off into depravity." "Yessir." "You gave a good deal of trouble last night. I have yet to meet Mrs. McRankine."
That's duty, my boy!" As I had foreseen, the bells had scarce begun before Mrs. McRankine presented herself to be our escort, upon which I sprang up with readiness and offered her my arm. Rowley followed behind. I was beginning to grow accustomed to the risks of my stay in Edinburgh, and it even amused me to confront a new churchful. I confess the amusement did not last until the end; for if Dr.
That's duty, my boy! As I had foreseen, the bells had scarce begun before Mrs. McRankine presented herself to be our escort, upon which I sprang up with readiness and offered her my arm. Rowley followed behind. I was beginning to grow accustomed to the risks of my stay in Edinburgh, and it even amused me to confront a new churchful. I confess the amusement did not last until the end; for if Dr.
Word Of The Day