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Dolly and I, who had all the while been benevolently wishing Wortleby would go, and trying to help him off, now selfishly hoped he would remain and share our entertainment and our Uncle Popworth. We cruelly wished that he might continue to engage my uncle in conversation; but that would have been too much to hope from the sublime endurance of a martyr, if ever there was one more patient than he.
Then he stood half an hour on his poor old gouty feet, desperately edging toward the door. "Ah, certainly," says he, with a weary smile, repeatedly endeavoring to break the spell that bound him. "One word more, and I am done," cries my Uncle Popworth, for the fiftieth time; and Wortleby, in despair, sat down again. Then our friends arrived.
We were placidly seated; there was a hush, agreeably filled with the fragrance of the delicious fruit: even my uncle Popworth, from long habit, turned off his talk at that suggestive moment: when I did what I thought a shrewd thing. Wortleby began; and I was congratulating myself on my adroit management of a delicate matter, when conceive my consternation!
While we were consulting keeping up our scattering fire of small-arms under the old talker's heavy guns our parish minister called, old Doctor Wortleby, for whom we have a great liking and respect. Of course we had to introduce him to Uncle Popworth, for they met face to face; and of course Uncle Popworth fastened at once upon the brother clergyman.
His eyes shut, his hands spread over his plate, his elbows on the board, his head bowed, he took care that grace should abound with us for once! His mill started, I knew there was no stopping it, and I hoped Wortleby would desist. But he didn't know his man. He seemed to feel that he had the stroke-oar, and he pulled away manfully.
Being my guest, Wortleby could do no less than listen to Popworth, who is my uncle. He listened with interest and sympathy for the first half-hour; and then continued listening for another half-hour, after his interest and sympathy were exhausted. Then, attempting to go, he got his hat, and sat with it in his hand half an hour longer.
I felt that both Linton and Gregg were ready to tumble over, each in an apoplexy of suppressed emotions; while I had recourse to my handkerchief to hide my tears. At length, poor Wortleby yielded to fate, withdrew from the unequal contest hauled off for repairs; and the old seventy-two gun-ship thundered away in triumph.
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