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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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558 ladies together. Now this was not exactly the kind of reply suited to Mr Snevellicci’s importance as a man and a father, so he picked out the unfortunate Mrs Snevellicci, and asked her what the devil she meant by talking to him in that way. ‘Dear me, my dear!’ said Mrs Snevellicci. ‘Don’t call me your dear, ma’am,’ said Mr Snevellicci, ‘if you please.’ ‘Pray, pa, don’t,’ interposed Miss Snevellicci. ‘Don’t what, my child?’ ‘Talk in that way.’ ‘Why not?’ said Mr Snevellicci. ‘I hope you don’t suppose there’s anybody here who is to prevent my talking as I like?’ ‘Nobody wants to, pa,’ rejoined his daughter. ‘Nobody would if they did want to,’ said Mr Snevellicci. ‘I am not ashamed of myself, Snevellicci is my name; I’m to be found in Broad Court, Bow Street, when I’m in town. If I’m not at home, let any man ask for me at the stage-door. Damme, they know me at the stage-door I suppose. Most men have seen my portrait at the cigar shop round the corner. I’ve been mentioned in the newspapers before now, haven’t I? Talk! I’ll tell you what; if I found out that any man had been tampering with the affections of my daughter, I wouldn’t talk. I’d astonish him without talking; that’s my way.’ So saying, Mr Snevellicci struck the palm of his left hand three smart blows with his clenched fist; pulled a phantom nose with his right thumb and forefinger, and swallowed another glassful at a draught. ‘That’s my way,’ repeated Mr Snevellicci. Most public characters have their failings; and the truth is that |
