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Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir, 1863-1944

"The Astonishing History of Troy Town"

I niver seed no good in makin' Troy fash'nubble mysel'."


CHAPTER XIII.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF POMEROY'S CAT; AND HOW THE MEN AND WOMEN OF TROY
ENSUED AFTER PLEASURE IN BOATS.
The historian of Troy here feels at liberty to pass over six weeks
with but scanty record. During that time the Bankshire rose bloomed
over Kit's House, peered in at the windows, and found Mr. Fogo for
the most part busied in peaceful carpentry, though with a mysterious
trouble in his breast that at times drove him afield on venturous
perambulations, or to his boat to work off by rowing his
too-meditative fit. From these excursions he would return tired in
body but in heart eased, and resume his humdrum life tranquilly
enough; though Caleb was growing uneasy, and felt it necessary, more
than once, to retire apart and "have et out," as he put it, with his
conscience.
"Question es," he would repeat, "whether I be justyfied in meddlin'
wi' the Cou'se o' Natur'--'speshully when the Cou'se o' Natur' es
sich as I approves. An' s'posin' I bain't, furder question es,
whether I be right in receivin' wan pound a week an' a new set o'
small-clothes."
This nice point in casuistry was settled for the time by his waiving
claim to the small-clothes, and inserting in his old pair a patch of
blue seacloth that contrasted extravagantly with the veteran stuff--
so extravagantly as to compel Mr.


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