Mr. Pumblechook’s premises in the High Street of the market town, were of a peppercorny and farinaceous character, as the premises of a cornchandler and seedsman should be.
The same opportunity served me for noticing that Mr. Pumblechook appeared to conduct his business by looking across the street at the saddler, who appeared to transact his business by keeping his eye on the coachmaker, who appeared to get on in life by putting his hands in his pockets and contemplating the baker, who in his turn folded his arms and stared at the grocer, who stood at his door and yawned at the chemist.
On my politely bidding him Good-morning, he said, pompously, “Seven times nine, boy?” And how should I be able to answer, dodged in that way, in a strange place, on an empty stomach! I was hungry, but before I had swallowed a morsel, he began a running sum that lasted all through the breakfast. “Seven?” “And four?” “And eight?” “And six?” “And two?” “And ten?”
While we waited at the gate, I peeped in , and saw that at the side of the house there was a large brewery. No brewing was going on in it, and none seemed to have gone on for a long long time. She saw me looking at it, and she said, “You could drink without hurt all the strong beer that’s brewed there now, boy.”“Better not try to brew beer there now, or it would turn out sour, boy; don’t you think so?”“Not that anybody means to try,” she added, “for that’s all done with, and the place will stand as idle as it is till it falls. As to strong beer, there’s enough of it in the cellars already, to drown the Manor House.
To this she returned: “Don’t be ridiculous, boy; I am not going in.” And scornfully walked away, and—what was worse—took the candle with her. Dresses, less splendid than the dress she wore, and half-packed trunks, were scattered about. She had not quite finished dressing, for she had but one shoe on,—the other was on the table near her hand,—her veil was but half arranged, her watch and chain were not put on, and some lace for her bosom lay with those trinkets, and with her handkerchief, and gloves, and some flowers, and a Prayer-Book all confusedly heaped about the looking-glass.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: NylonMag - 🏆 697. / 51 Read more »
Source: Fashionista_com - 🏆 474. / 51 Read more »
Source: Fustany - 🏆 158. / 63 Read more »
Source: wrtv - 🏆 598. / 51 Read more »
Source: Newsweek - 🏆 468. / 52 Read more »
Source: TODAYshow - 🏆 389. / 55 Read more »