Among the earliest readers of this production was the young Madame. She
first enjoyed a quiet gleeful smile over it, and then called:
"Ninide, here, take this down to Dr. Mossy--stop." She marked the
communication heavily with her gold pencil. "No answer; he need not
return it."
About the same hour, and in a neighboring street, one of the "not
responsibles" knocked on the Villivicencio castle gate. The General
invited him into his bedroom. With a short and strictly profane harangue
the visitor produced the offensive newspaper, and was about to begin
reading, when one of those loud nasal blasts, so peculiar to the Gaul,
resounded at the gate, and another "not responsible" entered, more
excited, if possible, than the first. Several minutes were spent in
exchanging fierce sentiments and slapping the palm of the left hand
rapidly with the back of the right. Presently there was a pause for
breath.
"Alphonse, proceed to read," said the General, sitting up in bed.
"De Crayfish-eaters' Ticket"--began Alphonse; but a third rapping at the
gate interrupted him, and a third "irresponsible" re-enforced their
number, talking loudly and wildly to the waiting-man as he came up the
hall.
Pages:
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345