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Chapter I: Front Matter

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VOCES POPULI

VOCES POPULI

[_Reprinted from "Punch"_]

BY
F. ANSTEY

AUTHOR OF "VICE VERSA," ETC.

_SECOND SERIES_

_WITH TWENTY-FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS_
BY J. BERNARD PARTRIDGE

_SECOND EDITION_

LONDON
LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.
AND NEW YORK: 15 EAST 16th STREET
1892

[_All rights reserved_]

RICHARD CLAY AND SONS, LIMITED,
LONDON AND BUNGAY.

CONTENTS

PAGE
AN EVENING WITH A CONJUROR 1
AT THE TUDOR EXHIBITION 7
IN AN OMNIBUS 13
AT A SALE OF HIGH-CLASS SCULPTURE 19
AT THE GUELPH EXHIBITION 26
AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY 32
AT THE HORSE SHOW 38
AT A DANCE 44
AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM 50
THE TRAVELLING MENAGERIE 57
AT THE REGENT STREET TUSSAUD'S 62
AT THE MILITARY EXHIBITION 67
AT THE FRENCH EXHIBITION 73
IN THE MALL ON DRAWING-ROOM DAY 80
AT A PARISIAN CAFE CHANTANT 85
AT A GARDEN PARTY 90
AT THE MILITARY TOURNAMENT 95
FREE SPEECH 99
THE RIDING-CLASS 104
THE IMPROMPTU CHARADE-PARTY 110
A CHRISTMAS ROMP 115
ON THE ICE 121
IN A FOG 127
BRICKS WITHOUT STRAW 131
AT A MUSIC HALL 136
A RECITATION UNDER DIFFICULTIES 142
BANK HOLIDAY 147
A ROW IN THE PIT; OR, THE OBSTRUCTIVE HAT 153

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE
"LED ME SEE--I SEEM TO REMEMBER YOUR FACE SOME'OW." 3
"WHAT ARE YOU DOIN' THEM C'RECT GUIDES AT, OLE MAN? A SHILLIN'?
NOT _me_!" 8
"GO 'OME, DIRTY DICK!" 17
"FIGGERS _'ere_, GEN'L'M'N!" 20
"PETS! DON'T YOU _love_ THEM?" 27
"CAPTURED BY A DESULTORY ENTHUSIAST" 34
"HE EXPECTED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE TO SEE" 42
"ER"--(CONSULTS SOME HIEROGLYPHICS ON HIS CUFF STEALTHILY) 46
"H'M; THAT MAY BE MITHRAS'S NOTION OF MAKING A CLEAN JOB OF IT,
BUT IT AIN'T _mine_!" 51
"I SEZ AS THAT UN'S A FAWKS, AN' I'M READY TO PROVE IT ON ANNY
MAN" 60
"THAT'S PLAY-ACTIN', THAT IS--AND I DON'T 'OLD WITH IT NO HOW!" 64
"GO IN, JIM! YOU GOT YER MARKIN'-PAPER READY ANYHOW" 71
"COME AN LOOK! ALAHA-BA-LI-BOO!" 74
"OW 'E SMOILED AT ME THROUGH THE BRORNCHES!" 81
FEMALE ARTISTE (SINGS REFRAIN) 86
"SHOW IT NOW, BY PUTTING MONEY IN THIS 'AT!" 102
"YOU AIN'T NO MORE 'OLD ON THAT SADDLE THAN A STAMP WITH THE GUM
LICKED OFF!" 105
"_Warm_, SIR? I _am_ WARM--AND SOMETHING MORE!" 119
"SNAY PAS FACILE QUAND VOUS AVEZ LES SKATES TOUTES SUR UN
COTE--COMME _moi_!" 123
"GO IT, OLE FRANKY, MY SON!" 125
RECOGNISES WITH DISMAY A VIEW OF THE GRAND CANAL 134
THE SISTERS SILVERTWANG 137
"I AM ONLY A COWBOY" 143
"RUM THE SIGHTS THESE 'ERE SAVIDGES MAKE O' THEIRSELVES" 149
THE OWNER OF THE HAT DEIGNS NO REPLY 154

VOCES POPULI

=An Evening with a Conjuror.=

SCENE--_A Suburban Hall. The Performance has not yet begun. The
Audience is limited and low-spirited, and may perhaps
number--including the Attendants--eighteen. The only people in
the front seats are a man in full evening dress, which he tries
to conceal under a caped coat, and two Ladies in plush
opera-cloaks. Fog is hanging about in the rafters, and the
gas-stars sing a melancholy dirge. Each casual cough arouses
dismal echoes. Enter an intending Spectator, who is conducted
to a seat in the middle of an empty row. After removing his hat
and coat, he suddenly thinks better--or worse--of it, puts them
on again, and vanishes hurriedly._

FIRST SARDONIC ATTENDANT (_at doorway_). Reg'lar turnin' em away to-night, _we_ are!

SECOND SARDONIC ATTENDANT. He come up to me afore he goes to the pay-box, and sez he--"Is there a seat left?" he sez. And I sez to 'im, "Well, I _think_ we can manage to squeeze you in somewhere." Like that, I sez.

[_The Orchestra, consisting of two thin-armed little girls, with pigtails, enter, and perform a stumbling Overture upon a cracked piano._ HERR VON KAMBERWOHL_, the Conjuror, appears on platform, amidst loud clapping from two obvious Confederates in a back row_.

HERR V. K. (_in a mixed accent_). Lyties and Shentilmans, pefoor I co-mence viz my hillusions zis hevenin' I 'ave most hemphadically to repoodiate hall assistance from hany spirrids or soopernatural beins vatsohever. All I shall 'ave ze honour of showing you will be perform by simple Sloight of 'and or Ledger-dee-Mang! (_He invites any member of the Audience to step up and assist him, but the spectators remain coy._) I see zat I 'ave not to night so larsh an orjence to select from as usual, still I 'ope--(_Here one of the obvious Confederates slouches up, and joins him on the platform._) Ah, zat is goot! I am vair much oblige to you, Sare. (_The Confederate grins sheepishly._) Led me see--I seem to remember your face some'ow. (_Broader grin from Confederate._) Hah you vos 'ere last night?--zat exblains it! But you 'ave nevaire assist me befoor, eh? (_Reckless shake of the head from Confederate._) I thought nod. _Vair_ vell. You 'ave nevaire done any dricks mit carts--no? Bot you will dry? You never dell vat you gan do till you dry, as ze ole sow said ven she learn ze halphabet. (_He pauses for a laugh--which doesn't come._) Now, Sare, you know a cart ven you see 'im? Ah, zat is somtings alretty! Now I vill ask you to choose any cart or carts out of zis back. (_The Confederate fumbles._) I don't vish to 'urry you--but I vant you to mike 'aste--&c., &c.

THE MAN IN EVENING DRESS. I remember giving Bimbo, the Wizard of the West, a guinea once to teach me that trick--there was nothing in it.

FIRST LADY IN PLUSH CLOAK. And can you _do_ it?

THE M. IN E. D. (_guardedly_). Well, I don't know that I could exactly do it _now_--but I know how it's done.

[_He explains elaborately how it is done._

HERR V. K. (_stamping, as a signal that the Orchestra may leave off_). Next I shall show you my zelebrated hillusion of ze inexhaustible 'At, to gonclude viz the Invisible 'En. And I shall be moch oblige if any shentilmans vill kindly favour me viz 'is 'at for ze purpose of my exberiment.

THE M. IN E. D. Here's mine--it's quite at your service. [_To his companions._] This is a stale old trick, he merely--(_explains as before_). But you wait and see how I'll score off him over it!

HERR V. K. (_to the_ M. in E. D.). You are gvide sure, Sare, you leaf nossing insoide of your 'at?

THE M. IN E. D. (_with a wink to his neighbours_). On the contrary, there are several little things there belonging to me, which I'll thank you to give me back by-and-by.

HERR V. K. (_diving into the hat_). So? Vat 'ave we 'ere? A bonch of flowairs! Anozzer bonch of flowairs? Anozzer--_and_ anozzer! Ha, do you alvays garry flowairs insoide your 'at, Sare?

THE M. IN E. D. Invariably--to keep my head cool; so hand them over, please; I want them.

[_His Companions titter, and declare "it really is too bad of him!"_

HERR V. K. Bresently, Sare,--zere is somtings ailse, it feels loike--yes, it ees--a mahouse-drap. Your haid is drouble vid moice, Sare, yes? Bot zere is none 'ere in ze 'at!

THE M. IN E. D. (_with rather feeble indignation_). I never said there were.

HERR V. K. No, zere is no mahouse--bot--[_diving again_]--ha! a leedle vide rad! Anozzer vide rad! And again a vide rad--and one, two, dree _more_ vide rads! You vind zey keep your haid noice and cool, Sare? May I drouble you to com and dake zem avay? I don't loike the vide rads myself, it is madder of daste. [_The Audience snigger._] Oh, bot vait--zis is a _most_ gonvenient 'at--[_extracting a large feeding-bottle and a complete set of baby-linen_]--ze shentelman is vairy domestic I see. And zere is more yet, he is goot business man, he knows ow von must hadvertise in zese' ere toimes. 'E 'as 'elp me, so I vill 'elp 'im by distributing some of his cairculars for 'im.

[_He showers cards, commending somebody's self-adjusting trousers amongst the Audience, each person receiving about two dozen--chiefly in the eye--until the air is dark, and the floor thick with them._

THE M. IN E. D. (_much annoyed_). Infernal liberty! Confounded impudence! Shouldn't have had _my_ hat if I'd known he was going to play the fool with it like this!

FIRST LADY IN PLUSH CLOAK. But I thought you knew what was coming?

THE M. IN E. D. So I did--but this fellow does it differently.

[HERR VON K. _is preparing to fire a marked half-crown from a blunderbuss into a crystal casket_.

A LADY WITH NERVES (_to her husband_). John, I'm _sure_ he's going to let that thing off!

JOHN (_a Brute_). Well, I shouldn't be surprised if he is. _I_ can't help it.

THE L. WITH N. You could if you liked--you could tell him my nerves won't stand it--the trick will be every _bit_ as good if he only _pretends_ to fire, I'm sure.

JOHN. Oh, nonsense!--You can stand it very well if you _like_.

THE L. WITH N. I _can't_, John.... There, he's raising it to his shoulder. John, I _must_ go out. I shall scream if I sit here, I _know_ I shall!

JOHN. No, no--what's the use? He'll have fired long before you get to the door. Much better stay where you are, and do your screaming sitting down. (_The Conjuror fires._) There, you see, you _didn't_ scream, after all!

THE L. WITH N. I screamed to _myself_--which is ever so much worse for me; but you never _will_ understand me till it's too late!

[HERR VON K. _performs another trick_.

FIRST LADY IN PLUSH CLOAK. That was very clever, wasn't it? I can't _imagine_ how it was done!

THE M. IN E. D. (_in whom the memory of his desecrated hat is still rankling_). Oh, can't you? Simplest thing in the world--any child could do it!

SECOND LADY. What, find the rabbit inside those boxes, when they were all corded up, and sealed!

THE M. IN E. D. You don't mean to say you were taken in by _that_! Why, it was another rabbit, of course!

FIRST LADY. But even if it _was_ another rabbit, it was wearing the borrowed watch round its neck.

THE M. IN E. D. Easy enough to slip the watch in, if all the boxes have false bottoms.

SECOND L. Yes, but he passed the boxes round for us to examine.

THE M. IN E. D. Boxes--but not _those_ boxes.

FIRST L. But how could he slip the watch in when somebody was holding it all the time in a paper bag?

THE M. IN E. D. Ah, _I_ saw how it was done--but it would take too long to explain it now. I _have_ seen it so well performed that you _couldn't_ spot it. But this chap's a regular duffer!

HERR V. K. (_who finds this sort of thing rather disturbing_). Lyties and Shentilmans, I see zere is von among us who is a brofessional like myself, and knows how all my leedle dricks is done. Now--[_suddenly abandoning his accent_]--I am always griteful for hanythink that will distrack the attention of the orjence from what is going on upon the Stige; naterally so, because it prevents you from follerin' my actions too closely, and so I now call upon this gentleman in the hevenin' dress jest to speak hup a very little louder than what he _'as_ been doin', so that you will be enabled to 'ear hevery word of 'is hexplanation more puffickly than what some of you in the back benches have done itherto. Now, Sir, if you'll kindly repeat your very hinteresting remarks in a more haudible tone, I can go on between like. [_Murmurs of "No no!" "Shut up!" "We don't want to hear him!" from various places_; THE MAN IN EVENING DRESS _subsides into a crimson taciturnity, which continues during the remainder of the performance_.

At the Tudor Exhibition.

IN THE CENTRAL HALL.

_The usual Jocose_ 'ARRY (_who has come here with_ 'ARRIET, _for no very obvious reason, as they neither of them know or care about any history but their own_). Well, I s'pose as we _are_ 'ere, we'd better go in a buster for a book o' the words, eh? (_To_ COMMISSIONAIRE.) What are yer doin' them c'rect guides at, ole man? A shillin'? Not _me_! 'Ere, 'Arriet, we'll make it out for ourselves.

A YOUNG MAN (_who has dropped in for five minutes--"just to say he's been, don't you know"_). 'Jove--_my Aunt_! Nip out before she spots me.... Stop, though, suppose she _has_ spotted me? Never can tell with giglamps ... better not risk it. [_Is "spotted" while hesitating._

HIS AUNT. I didn't recognise you till just this moment, John, my boy. I was just wishing I had some one to read out all the extracts in the Catalogue for me; now we can go round together.

[JOHN _affects a dutiful delight at this suggestion, and wonders mentally if he can get away in time to go to afternoon tea with those pretty Chesterton Girls_.

AN UNCLE (_who has taken_ MASTER TOMMY _out for the afternoon_). This is the way to make your English History _real_ to you, my boy!

[TOMMY, _who had cherished hopes of Covent Garden Circus, privately thinks that English History is a sufficiently unpleasant reality as it is, and conceives a bitter prejudice against the entire Tudor Period on the spot_.

THE INTELLIGENT PERSON. Ha! armour of the period, you see! (_Feels bound to make an intelligent remark._) 'Stonishing how the whole art of war has been transformed since then, eh? Now--to me--(_as if he was conscious of being singular in this respect_)--to _me_, all this is most interesting. Coming as I do, fresh from Froude--

HIS COMPANION (_a Flippant Person_). Don't speak so loud. If they know you've come in here fresh, you'll get turned out!

PATRONISING PERSONS (_inspecting magnificent suit of russet and gilt armour_). 'Pon my word, no idea they turned out such good work in those times--very creditable to them, really.

BEFORE THE PORTRAITS.

THE UNCLE. Now, Tommy, you remember what became of Katherine of Aragon, I'm sure? No, no--tut--tut--_she_ wasn't executed! I'm afraid you're getting rather rusty with these long holidays. Remind me to speak to your mother about setting you a chapter or so of history to read every day when we get home, will you?

TOMMY (_to himself_). It _is_ hard lines on a chap having a Sneak for an Uncle! Catch me swotting to please _him_!

'ARRY. There's old 'Enery the Eighth, you see--that's 'im right enough; him as 'ad all those wives, and cut every one of their 'eds off!

'ARRIET (_admiringly_). Ah, I knew we shouldn't want a Catalogue.

THE INT. P. Wonderfully Holbein's caught the character of the man--the--er--curious compound of obstinacy, violence, good-humour, sensuality, and--and so on. No mistaking a Holbein--you can tell him at once by the extraordinary finish of all the accessories. Now look at that girdle--isn't that Holbein all over?

FLIPPANT P. Not quite all over, old fellow. Catalogue says it's painted by Paris Bordone.

THE INT. P. Possibly--but it's Holbein's _manner_, and, looking at these portraits, you see at once how right Froude's estimate was of the King.

F. P. Does Froude say how he got that nasty one on the side of his nose?

A VISITOR. Looks overfed, don't he?

SECOND V. (_sympathetically_). Oh, he fed himself very well; you can see that.

THE AUNT. Wait a bit, John--don't read so fast. I haven't made out the middle background yet. And where's the figure of St. Michael rising above the gilt tent, lined with _fleurs-de-lis_ on a blue ground? Would this be Guisnes, or Ardres, now? Oh, Ardres on the right--so _that's_ Ardres--yes, yes; and now tell me what it says about the two gold fountains, and that dragon up in the sky.

[JOHN _calculates that, at this rate, he has a very poor chance of getting away before the Gallery closes_.

THE PATRONISING PERSONS. 'Um! Holbein again, you see--very curious their ideas of painting in those days. Ah, well, Art has made great progress since then--like everything else!

MISS FISHER. So _that's_ the beautiful Queen Mary! I wonder if it is really _true_ that people have got better-looking since those days?

[_Glances appealingly at_ PHLEGMATIC FIANCE.

HER PHLEGMATIC FIANCE. I wonder.

MISS F. You hardly ever see such small hands now, do you? With those lovely long fingers, too!

THE PHL. F. No, never.

MISS F. Perhaps people in some other century will wonder how anybody ever saw anything to admire in _us_?

THE PHL. F. Shouldn't be surprised.

[MISS F. _does wish secretly that_ CHARLES _had more conversation_.

THE AUNT. John, just find out who No. 222 is.

JOHN (_sulkily_). Sir George Penruddocke, Knight.

HIS AUNT (_with enthusiasm_). Of course--_how_ interesting this is, isn't it?--seeing all these celebrated persons exactly as they were in life! Now read who he _was_, John, please.

THE INT. PERSON. Froude tells a curious incident about--

FLIPPANT P. I tell you what it is, old chap, if you read so much history, you'll end by _believing_ it!

THE INT. P. (_pausing before the Shakspeare portraits_). "He was not for an age, but for all time."

THE FL. P. I suppose that's why they've painted none of them alike.

A PERSON WITH A TALENT FOR COMPARISON. Mary, come here a moment. Do look at this--"Elizabeth, Lady Hoby"--did you _ever_ see such a likeness?

MARY. Well, dear, I don't quite--

THE PERSON WITH, &C. It's her living image! Do you mean to say you really don't recognise it?--Why, _Cook_, of course!

MARY. Ah! (_apologetically_)--but I've never seen her dressed to go _out_, you know.

THE UNCLE. "No. 13, Sir Rowland Hill, Lord Mayor, died 1561"--

TOMMY (_anxious to escape the threatened chapters if possible_). I know about _him_, Uncle, he invented postage stamps!

OVER THE CASES.

FIRST PATRONISING P. "A Tooth of Queen Katherine Parr." Dear me! very quaint.

SECOND P. P. (_tolerantly_). And not at all a bad tooth, either.

'ARRIET (_comes to a case containing a hat labelled as formerly belonging to Henry the Eighth_). 'Arry, look 'ere; fancy a king going about in a thing like that--pink with a green feather! Why, I wouldn't be seen in it myself!

'ARRY. Ah, but that was ole 'Enery all over, that was; _he_ wasn't one for show. He liked a quiet, unassumin' style of 'at, he did. "None of yer loud pot 'ats for Me!" he'd tell the Royal 'atters; "find me a tile as won't attract people's notice, or you won't want a tile yerselves in another minute!" An' you may take yer oath they served him pretty _sharp_, too!

'ARRIET (_giggling_). It's a pity they didn't ask you to write their Catalogue for 'em.

THE AUNT. John, you're not really _looking_ at that needlework--it's Queen Elizabeth's own work, John. Only look how wonderfully fine the stitches are. Ah, she was a truly _great_ woman! I could spend hours over this case alone. What, closing are they, _already_? We must have another day at this together, John--just you and I.

JOHN. Yes, Aunt. And now--(_thinks there is just time to call on the_ Chestertons, _if he goes soon_)--can I get you a cab, or put you into a 'bus or anything?

HIS AUNT. Not just yet; you must take me somewhere where I can get a bun and a cup of tea first, and then we can go over the Catalogue together, and mark all the things we _missed_, you know.

[JOHN _resigns himself to the inevitable rather than offend his wealthy relative_; _the_ INTELLIGENT PERSON _comes out, saying he has had "an intellectual treat" and intends to "run through Froude again" that evening_. 'ARRY _and_ 'ARRIET, _depart to the "Ocean Wave" at Hengler's. Gallery gradually clears as Scene closes in._

In an Omnibus.

_The majority of the inside passengers, as usual, sit in solemn
silence, and gaze past their opposite neighbours into vacancy.
A couple of Matrons converse in wheezy whispers_.

FIRST MATRON. Well, I must say a bus is pleasanter riding than what they used to be not many years back, and then so much cheaper, too. Why you can go all the way right from here to Mile End Road for threepence!

SECOND MATRON. What, all that way for threepence--(_with an impulse of vague humanity_). The _poor_ 'orses!

FIRST MATRON. Ah, well, my dear, it's Competition, you know,--it don't do to think too much of it.

CONDUCTOR (_stopping the bus_). Orchard Street, Lady!

[_To_ SECOND MATRON, _who had desired to be put down there_.

SECOND MATRON (_to_ CONDUCTOR). Just move on a few doors further, opposite the boot-shop. (_To_ FIRST MATRON.) It will save us walking.

CONDUCTOR. Cert'inly, Mum, we'll drive in and wait while you're tryin' 'em on, if you like--_we_ ain't in no 'urry!

[_The_ MATRONS _get out, and their places are taken by two young girls, who are in the middle of a conversation of thrilling interest_.

FIRST GIRL. I never liked her myself--ever since the way she behaved at his Mother's that Sunday.

SECOND GIRL. How _did_ she behave?

[_A faint curiosity is discernible amongst the other passengers to learn how she--whoever she is--behaved that Sunday._

FIRST GIRL. Why, it was you _told_ me! You remember. That night Joe let out about her and the automatic scent fountain.

SECOND GIRL. Oh, yes, I remember now. (_General disappointment._) I couldn't help laughing myself. Joe didn't ought to have told--but she needn't have got into such a state over it, _need_ she?

FIRST GIRL. That was Eliza all over. If George had been sensible, he'd have broken it off then and there--but no, he wouldn't hear a word against her, not at that time--it was the button-hook opened _his_ eyes!

[_The other passengers strive to dissemble a frantic desire to know how and why this delicate operation was performed._

SECOND GIRL (_mysteriously_). And enough too! But what put George off most was her keeping that bag so quiet.

[_The general imagination is once more stirred to its depths by this mysterious allusion._

FIRST GIRL. Yes, he did feel that, I know, he used to come and go on about it to me by the hour together. "I shouldn't have minded so much," he told me over and over again, with the tears standing in his eyes,--"if it hadn't been that the bottles was all silver-mounted!"

SECOND GIRL. Silver-mounted? I never heard of _that_ before--no wonder he felt hurt!

FIRST GIRL (_impressively_). Silver tops to every one of them--and that girl to turn round as she did, and her with an Uncle in the oil and colour line, too--it nearly broke George's 'art!

SECOND GIRL. He's such a one to take on about things--but, as I said to him, "George," I says, "You must remember it might have been worse. Suppose you'd been married to that girl, and _then_ found out about Alf and the Jubilee sixpence--how would _that_ have been?"

FIRST GIRL (_unconsciously acting as the mouthpiece of the other passengers_). And what did he say to _that_?

SECOND GIRL. Oh, nothing--there was nothing he _could_ say, but I could see he was struck. She behaved very mean to the last--she wouldn't send back the German concertina.

FIRST GIRL. You don't say so! Well, I wouldn't have thought that of her, bad as she is.

SECOND GIRL. No, she stuck to it that it wasn't like a regular present, being got through a grocer, and as she couldn't send him back the tea, being drunk,--but did you hear how she treated Emma over the crinoline 'at she got for her?

FIRST GIRL (_to the immense relief of the rest_). No, what was that?

SECOND GIRL. Well, I had it from Emma her own self. Eliza wrote up to her and says, in a postscript like,--Why, this is Tottenham Court Road, I get out here. Good-bye, dear, I must tell you the rest another day.

[_Gets out, leaving the tantalised audience inconsolable, and
longing for courage to question her companion as to the precise
details of Eliza's heartless behaviour to George. The
companion, however, relapses into a stony reserve. Enter a_
CHATTY OLD GENTLEMAN _who has no secrets from anybody, and of
course selects as the first recipient of his confidence the one
person who hates to be talked to in an omnibus_.

THE CHATTY O. G. I've just been having a talk with the policeman at the corner there--what do you think I said to him?

HIS OPPOSITE NEIGHBOUR. I--I really don't know.

THE C. O. G. Well, I told him he was a rich man compared to me. He said "I only get thirty shillings a week, Sir." "Ah," I said, "but look at your expenses, compared to mine. What would _you_ do if you had to spend eight hundred a year on your children's education?" I spend that--every penny of it, Sir.

HIS OPP. N. (_utterly uninterested_). Do you indeed?--dear me!

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Voces PopuliChapter I: Front Matter

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