Aylwin by Theodore Watts-Dunton
page 31 of 651 (04%)
page 31 of 651 (04%)
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The beautiful little head drooped in shame.
'I'm s'prised at you, Winifred. When I come to think whose daughter you are.--mine!--I'm s'prised at you,' continued Torn, whose virtuous indignation waxed with every word. 'Oh. I'm so sorry!' said the child. 'I won't do it any more.' This contrition of the child's only fanned the flame of Tom's virtuous indignation. 'Here am I,' said he, 'the most (hiccup) respectable man in two parishes,--except Master Aylwin's father, of course,--here am I, the organ-player for the Christianest of all the Christian churches along the coast, and here's my daughter sings heathen songs just like a Gypsy or a tinker. I'm s'prised at you, Winifred.' I had often seen Tom in a dignified state of liquor, but the pathetic expression of injured virtue that again overspread his face so changed it, that I had some difficulty myself in realising how entirely the tears filling his eyes and the grief at his heart were of alcoholic origin. And as to the little girl, she began to sob piteously. 'Oh dear, oh dear, what a wicked girl I am !' said she. This exclamation, however, aroused my ire against Tom; and as I always looked upon him as my special paid henchman, who, in return for such services as supplying me with tiny boxing-gloves, and fishing-tackle, and bait, during my hale days, and tame rabbits now |
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