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Gissing, George, 1857-1903

"The Unclassed"


"How do things go?" Waymark inquired heartily. "Found a better
school?"
"No, no, my friend," returned Egger, in his very bad English. "At
the school I made my possible; I did till I could no more. I have
made like Mr. O'Gree; it is to say, quite a change in my life. I am
waiter at a restaurant. And see me; am I not the better quite? No
fear!" This cockneyism came in with comical effect. "I have enough
to eat and to drink, and money in my pocket. The school may go to ----"
O'Gree coughed violently to cover the last word, and looked
reproachfully at his old colleague. Poor Egger, who had been carried
away by his joyous fervour, was abashed, and glanced timidly at
Sally, who replied by giving him half a dozen thick rounds of German
sausage. On his requesting mustard, she fetched some from the shop
and mixed it, but, in doing so, had the misfortune to pour too much
water.
"There!" she exclaimed; "I've doubted the miller's eye."
O'Gree laughed when he saw Waymark looking for an explanation.
"That's a piece of Weymouth," he remarked. "Mrs. O'Gree comes from
the south-west of England," he added, leaning towards Casti. "She's
constantly teaching me new and interesting things.


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