The very next time she presumes
to address me disrespectfully at the dinner-table, sir, I'll rise in
my might, sir,--see if I don't!--and I'll say to her, 'Mrs.
Tootle, ma'am, you seem to forget that I'm a gentleman, and have a
gentleman's susceptibilities. When I treat _you_ with disrespect,
ma'am, pray tell me of ut, and I'll inform you you speak an
untruth!'"
Waymark smiled, with the result that the expression of furious wrath
immediately passed from his colleague's countenance, giving place to
a broad grin.
"Waymark, look here!" exclaimed the Irishman, snatching up a piece
of chalk, and proceeding to draw certain outlines upon a
black-board. "Here's Tootle, a veritable Goliath;--here's me, as
it were David. Observe; Tootle holds in his hand his 'little
compendium,' raised in haughty superciliousness. Observe me with the
ruler!--I am on tiptoe; I am taking aim; there is wrath in every
sinew of my arrum! My arrum descends on the very centre of Tootle's
bald pate--"
"Mr. O'Gree!"
The tableau was most effective. Unnoticed by either the Irishman or
Waymark, the door had opened behind them, and there had appeared a
little red-faced woman, in slatternly dress.
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