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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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879 ‘What does he say, what does he say? What does the giant say to the pigmy?’ inquired Arthur Gride, hobbling up to Ralph. ‘What does the pigmy say to the giant?’ rejoined Ralph, elevating his eyebrows and looking down upon his questioner. ‘He doesn’t know what to say,’ replied Arthur Gride. ‘He hopes and fears. But is she not a dainty morsel?’ ‘I have no great taste for beauty,’ growled Ralph. ‘But I have,’ rejoined Arthur, rubbing his hands. ‘Oh dear! How handsome her eyes looked when she was stooping over him! Such long lashes, such delicate fringe! She--she--looked at me so soft.’ ‘Not over-lovingly, I think,’ said Ralph. ‘Did she?’ ‘No, you think not?’ replied old Arthur. ‘But don’t you think it can be brought about? Don’t you think it can?’ Ralph looked at him with a contemptuous frown, and replied with a sneer, and between his teeth: ‘Did you mark his telling her she was tired and did too much, and overtasked her strength?’ ‘Ay, ay. What of it?’ ‘When do you think he ever told her that before? The life is more than she can bear. Yes, yes. He’ll change it for her.’ ‘D’ye think it’s done?’ inquired old Arthur, peering into his companion’s face with half-closed eyes. ‘I am sure it’s done,’ said Ralph. ‘He is trying to deceive himself, even before our eyes, already. He is making believe that he thinks of her good and not his own. He is acting a virtuous part, and so considerate and affectionate, sir, that the daughter scarcely knew him. I saw a tear of surprise in her eye. There’ll be a few more tears of surprise there before long, though of a different kind. Oh! we may wait with confidence for this day week.’ |
