I begin to think he will never come home again.
What a mysterious life that man does lead, to be sure!'
'Very strange. Is it not, Tom?'
'Really,' said Tom, 'I hope it is only strange. I hope there may be
nothing wrong in it. Sometimes I begin to be doubtful of that. I must
have an explanation with him,' said Tom, shaking his head as if this
were a most tremendous threat, 'when I can catch him!'
A short double knock at the door put Tom's menacing looks to flight, and
awakened an expression of surprise instead.
'Heyday!' said Tom. 'An early hour for visitors! It must be John, I
suppose.'
'I--I--don't think it was his knock, Tom,' observed his little sister.
'No?' said Tom. 'It surely can't be my employer suddenly arrived in
town; directed here by Mr Fips; and come for the key of the office. It's
somebody inquiring for me, I declare! Come in, if you please!'
But when the person came in, Tom Pinch, instead of saying, 'Did you
wish to speak with me, sir?' or, 'My name is Pinch, sir; what is your
business, may I ask?' or addressing him in any such distant terms; cried
out, 'Good gracious Heaven!' and seized him by both hands, with the
liveliest manifestations of astonishment and pleasure.
Pages:
1346
1347
1348
1349
1350
1351
1352
1353
1354
1355
1356
1357
1358
1359
1360
1361
1362
1363
1364
1365
1366
1367
1368
1369
1370