Its backward speed outstripped them. With
shattering thud he plumped heavily to his full length upon the floor;
Mrs. Major pressed him to earth.
But that shock was a whack on the head for Old Tom that temporarily
quieted him. "What has happened?" Mrs. Major asked, clinging tightly.
Mr. Marrapit gasped: "Release my neck. Remove your arms."
"Where are we?"
"You are upon my chest. I am prone beneath you. Release!"
"It's all dark," Mrs. Major cried; gripped firmer.
"It is not dark. I implore movement. Our juxtaposition unnaturally
compromises us. It is abhorrent."
Mrs. Major opened the eyes she had tightly closed during that
staggering journey and that shattering fall. She loosed her clutch;
got to her knees; thence tottered to a chair. That infamous Old Tom
raised his head again; tickled her brain with misty fingers.
Mr. Marrapit painfully rose. He put a sympathetic hand upon the seat
of his injury; with the other took up the candle. He regarded Mrs.
Major; suspiciously sniffed the air, pregnant with strange fumes;
again regarded his late burden.
Upon her face that infamous Old Tom set a beaming smile,
"Follow me, Mrs. Major," Mr. Marrapit commanded; turned for the
dining-room; from its interior faced about upon her.
With rare dignity the masterly woman slowly arose; martially she
poised against the hat-rack; with stately mien marched steadily
towards him.
Pages:
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234