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The Wheels of Chance | H. G. [Herbert George] Wells | |
XXXII. Mr. Hoopdriver, Knight Errant |
Page 5 of 8 |
"Own up, Charlie," said the young man with the gaiters, looking up for a moment. "And don't go a-dragging in your betters. It's fair and square. You can't get out of it." "Was it this--gent?" began Mr. Hoopdriver. "Of course," said the young man in the white tie, "when it comes to talking of wiping boots--" "I'm not talking; I'm going to do it," said Mr. Hoopdriver. He looked round at the meeting. They were no longer antagonists; they were spectators. He would have to go through with it now. But this tone of personal aggression on the maker of the remark had somehow got rid of the oppressive feeling of Hoopdriver contra mundum. Apparently, he would have to fight someone. Would he get a black eye? Would he get very much hurt? Pray goodness it wasn't that sturdy chap in the gaiters! Should he rise and begin? What would she think if he brought a black eye to breakfast to-morrow?"Is this the man?" said Mr. Hoopdriver, with a business-like calm, and arms more angular than ever. "Eat 'im!" said the little man with the beard; "eat 'im straight orf." "Steady on!" said the young man in the white tie. "Steady on a minute. If I did happen to say--" "You did, did you?" said Mr. Hoopdriver. Backing out of it, Charlie?" said the young man with the gaiters. "Not a bit," said Charlie. "Surely we can pass a bit of a joke--" "I'm going to teach you to keep your jokes to yourself," said Mr. Hoopdriver. "Bray-vo!" said the shepherd of the flock of chins. "Charlie IS a bit too free with his jokes," said the little man with the beard. |
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The Wheels of Chance H. G. [Herbert George] Wells |
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