Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 4, 2025
"On 'Ordinary Days, 'Poulter's' would require you from eleven in the morning till " Here he turned inquiringly to Miss Nippett. "Carriages at ten thirty," put in Miss Nippett promptly. "Yes, carriages at ten thirty," repeated Mr Poulter, who took a simple enjoyment in the reference to the association of vehicles, however imaginary, with the academy.
Mavis went upstairs, past the cupboard containing Miss Nippett's collection of unclaimed "overs," to the door directly beyond. "Come in" cried a well-remembered voice, as Mavis knocked. She entered, to see Miss Nippett half rising from a chair before the fire. She was startled by the great change which had taken place in the accompanist's appearance since she had last seen her.
His presence seemed to infect the coarsely scented air of the room with an atmosphere of refinement and unaffected kindliness. He was shabbily dressed. Directly Mavis saw him, she longed to throw her arms about his neck, to kiss him on the forehead. He bowed to Mavis before saying: "Have you 'ad your tea?" "Yes, thank you," she replied. "Miss Nippett has told me of your errand."
"I am overjoyed at a real young lady like you caring to stay," replied Poulter. Mr Poulter read a chapter from the Bible. He then offered up a brief extempore prayer. He prayed for Miss Nippett, for Mavis, for past and present pupils, the world at large. The Lord's Prayer, in which the two women joined, ended the devotions.
Another human trait in the proprietor of "Poulter's" was that he was insensible to Miss Nippett's loyalty to the academy, he taking her devotion as a matter of course. Miss Nippett and Mavis, also, became friends; the latter was moved by the touching faith which the shrivelled-up little accompanist had in the academy, its future, and, above all, its proprietor.
"The night the 'Clacton Schottische' was danced for the first time," replied Poulter. "And what do you think the refreshments was contracted at a 'ead?" asked Miss Nippett. "Give it up," replied Mavis. "Why, no less than three shillin's, wasn't it, Mr Poulter?" "True enough," replied Mr Poulter.
The little room was neat and clean; tea, a substantial meal, was served on the big black box which stood at the foot of Miss Nippett's bed. After tea, Miss Nippett showed, with much pride, her little treasures, which were chiefly pitiful odds and ends picked up upon infrequent excursions to Isle of Thanet watering-places. Her devotion to these brought a lump to Mavis's throat.
Upon Mavis and Miss Nippett rising as if to fall in with his suggestion, Mr Poulter went before them, up the stairs, past the "Ladies' Cloak Room," along the passage to the front door. As Miss Nippett and Mavis followed the dancing-master, the former said, referring to Mr Poulter: "'E once took the 'Olborn Town 'all for an 'All Night, didn't you, Mr Poulter?"
Increasing weakness would not suffer Miss Nippett to finish the sentence. Mavis forced her to take some nourishment, after which, Miss Nippett lay back on her pillow, with her eyes fixed on the clock. Mavis sat in the chair by the bedside. Now and again, her eyes would seek the timepiece. The girl divined how heartfully the dying woman hungered for Mr Poulter's coming.
"Bend over: you never know oo's listening." Mavis did as she was asked. "It's Mr Poulter can't you guess?" faltered Miss Nippett. "Tell me, dear." "I b'lieve I love him: reely I do. Don't laugh." "Why should I?" "There was nothing in it don't run away thinking there was but how could there be, 'im so great and noble and famous, and me "
Word Of The Day
Others Looking