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Gissing, George, 1857-1903

"The Unclassed"


"It takes you back a bit, don't it! Never mind; you'll get over it.
I don't mean you no 'arm, Mr. Waymark, but I'll have to put you to a
little ill-convenience, that's all. See now; here's a bit o' stout
rope. With this 'ere, I'm a-goin' jist to tie you up, 'and an' foot,
you see. As I said before, if you give me any trouble, well, I'll
'ave to knock the senses out o' you fust, that's all."
Vain to think of grappling with the man, whose strength Waymark knew
to be extraordinary. For a moment, the shock of alarm had deprived
him of thought and power of movement; but this passed, and he was
able to consider his position. He looked keenly into Slimy's face.
Had the man gone mad! His manner was scarcely consistent with that
supposition. As the alternative before him was of such a kind,
Waymark could but choose the lesser evil. He allowed Slimy to remove
from his shoulders the satchel which contained the sums of money he
had just collected. It was quietly put aside.
"Now," said Slimy, with the same deliberation, "I have to arst you
just to lay down on the floor, just 'ere, see. It's better to lay
down quiet than to be knocked down, you see."
Waymark mentally agreed that it was.


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