Dandy Dick - BestLightNovel.com
You’re reading novel Dandy Dick Part 42 online at BestLightNovel.com. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit BestLightNovel.com. Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only). Drop by anytime you want to read free – fast – latest novel. It’s great if you could leave a comment, share your opinion about the new chapters, new novel with others on the internet. We’ll do our best to bring you the finest, latest novel everyday. Enjoy
[_Calmly to NOAH._] Am I to gather, constable, from your respective att.i.tudes that you object to these little kindnesses extended to me by your worthy wife?
NOAH.
I'm wis.h.i.+n' to know the name o' my worthy wife's friend. A friend o'
hern is a friend o' mian.
HANNAH.
Noahry! Noahry!
NOAH.
She's gettin' me a lot o' nice noo friends since we coom to St.
Marvells.
HANNAH.
Noahry! I made this gentleman's acquaintance through the wicket, in a casual way.
NOAH.
Ay. Cooks and railins--cooks and railins! I might a guessed my wedded life 'ud a coom to this.
HANNAH.
He spoke to me just as a strange gentleman ought to speak to a lady!
Didn't you, sir--didn't you?
THE DEAN.
Hannah, do not let us even under these circ.u.mstances prevaricate; such is not quite the case!
[_NOAH advances savagely to THE DEAN. There is a knocking at the door.--NOAH restrains himself and faces THE DEAN._
NOAH.
Noa, this is neither the toime nor pla-ace, wi' people at the door and dinner on t' table, to spill a strange man's blood.
THE DEAN.
I trust that your self-respect as an officer of the law will avert anything so unseemly.
NOAH.
Ay. That's it! You've touched me on my point o' pride. There ain't another police-station in all Durnstone conducted more strict and rigid nor what mian is, and it shall so continue. You and me is a goin' to set out for Durnstone, and when the charges now standin' agen you is entered, it's I, Noah Topping, what'll hadd another!
[_There is another knock at the door._
HANNAH.
Noah!
NOAH.
The charge of allynating the affections o' my wife, 'Annah!
THE DEAN.
[_Horrified._] No, no!
NOAH.
Ay, and worse--the embezzlin' o' my mid-day meal prepared by her 'ands. [_Points into the cell._] Go in; you 'ave five minutes more in the 'ome you 'ave ruined and laid waste.
THE DEAN.
[_Going to the door and turning to NOAH._] You will at least receive my earnest a.s.surance that this worthy woman is extremely innocent?
NOAH.
Hinnocent? [_Points to the joint on the table._] Look theer! [_THE DEAN, much overcome, disappears through the cell door, which NOAH closes and locks. The knock at the door is repeated. To HANNAH, pointing to the outer door._] Hunlock that door!
HANNAH.
[_Weeping._] Oh, Noahry, you'll never be popular in St. Marvells.
NOAH.
Hunlock that door!
[_HANNAH unlocks the door, and admits GEORGIANA and SIR TRISTRAM, both dressed for the race-course._
GEORGIANA.
Dear me! Is this the Police-Station?
HANNAH.
Yes, lady. Take a chair, lady, near the fire. [_To SIR TRISTRAM._] Sit down, sir.
GEORGIANA.
This is my first visit to a police-station, my good woman; I hope it will be the last.
HANNAH.
Oh, don't say that, ma'am. We're honly hauxilliary 'ere, ma'am--the Bench sets at Durnstone.
