Read Books Online, for Free |
The Warden | Anthony Trollope | |
IV. Hiram's Bedesmen |
Page 4 of 5 |
'Take hold, you old cripple,' said Handy, thrusting the pen into poor Billy's hand: 'there, so--ugh! you old fool, you've been and smeared it all--there--that'll do for you--that's as good as the best name as ever was written': and a big blotch of ink was presumed to represent Billy Gazy's acquiescence. 'Now, Jonathan,' said Handy, turning to Crumple. 'A hundred a year's a nice thing, for sartain,' again argued Crumple. 'Well, neighbour Skulpit, how's it to be?' 'Oh, please yourself,' said Skulpit: 'please yourself, and you'll please me.' The pen was thrust into Crumple's hand, and a faint, wandering, meaningless sign was made, betokening such sanction and authority as Jonathan Crumple was able to convey. 'Come, job,' said Handy, softened by success, 'don't let 'em have to say that old Bunce has a man like you under his thumb--a man that always holds his head in the hospital as high as Bunce himself, though you're never axed to drink wine, and sneak, and tell lies about your betters as he does.' Skulpit held the pen, and made little flourishes with it in the air, but still hesitated. 'And if you'll be said by me,' continued Handy, 'you'll not write your name to it at all, but just put your mark like the others,' --the cloud began to clear from Skulpit's brow--'we all know you can do it if you like, but maybe you wouldn't like to seem uppish, you know.' 'Well, the mark would be best,' said Skulpit. 'One name and the rest marks wouldn't look well, would it?' 'The worst in the world,' said Handy; 'there--there': and stooping over the petition, the learned clerk made a huge cross on the place left for his signature. |
Who's On Your Reading List? Read Classic Books Online for Free at Page by Page Books.TM |
The Warden Anthony Trollope |
Home | More Books | About Us | Copyright 2004