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'Pardon me, Miss Wilfer, he proceeded, when their eyes met; 'you have used some hard words, for which I do not doubt you have a justification in your mind, that I do not understand. Ungenerous and dishonourable. In what? 'I would rather not be asked, said Bella, haughtily looking down. 'I would rather not ask, but the question is imposed upon me. Kindly explain; or if not kindly, justly.
'Unfortunate Lavvy! cried Mrs Wilfer, in a tone of commiseration. 'She always comes for it. My poor child! But Lavvy, with the suddenness of her former desertion, now bounced over to the other enemy: very sharply remarking, 'Don't patronize ME, Ma, because I can take care of myself.
Jasper put his hand into his pocket; as we have said before, he was not very generous when it came to spending his own money, but there were occasions when it was necessary to buy fresh tools, and this was one of them. He drew out some gold, which Mr. Wilfer eyed as greedily as a dog would a bone. "Now," said Vermont, "your address?"
Mrs Wilfer was, of course, a tall woman and an angular. Her lord being cherubic, she was necessarily majestic, according to the principle which matrimonially unites contrasts. She was much given to tying up her head in a pocket-handkerchief, knotted under the chin.
'This, said Mrs Wilfer, presenting a cheek to be kissed, as sympathetic and responsive as the back of the bowl of a spoon, 'is quite an honour! You will probably find your sister Lavvy grown, Bella.
"Beautiful pictures," continued the mocking voice, "all by Rubens and Raphael and Titian. I shouldn't be surprised if that was one of yours I saw at the Countess of Merivale's to-day, the 'Portrait of a gentleman, sold for 300 pounds. There was a warranty with it, signed, sealed and delivered by a Mr. Johann Wilfer."
'Can you think of your daughter Bella, and sleep? she disdainfully inquired. To which he mildly answered, 'Yes, I think I can, my dear. 'Then, said Mrs Wilfer, with solemn indignation, 'I would recommend you, if you have a human feeling, to retire to bed. 'Thank you, my dear, he replied; 'I think it IS the best place for me. And with these unsympathetic words very gladly withdrew.
Johann Wilfer was too astonished for a moment to do anything but recover his breath, and Leroy, settling his disarranged cuffs, walked calmly away. With a furious oath Wilfer sprang up, jumped back over the railings, and was about to pursue Leroy, when from behind him a hand was put on his collar, and he was borne rapidly and silently to the ground.
"Well, dear Ma," said Bella, "and how do you do?" "I am as well, Bella," replied Mrs. Wilfer, "as can be expected." "Dear me, Ma," said Bella, "you talk as if one was just born!" "That's exactly what Ma has been doing," interposed Lavvy, over the maternal shoulder, "ever since we got up this morning. It's all very well to laugh, Bella, but anything more exasperating it is impossible to conceive."
But indeed I do not believe there ever was any human creature who could keep so bolt upright as Ma, or put such an amount of aggravation into one back! What's the matter, Ma? Ain't you well, Ma?" "Doubtless I am very well," returned Mrs. Wilfer, turning her eyes upon her youngest born, with scornful fortitude. "What should be the matter with me?"
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