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When the body of an unknown man is dragged from the river Thames, a series of complications involving the will of a wealthy man entangle the lives of several Londoners.

Page 71 of 1266
Table of Contents

IV

‘Maybe not, pa⁠—very likely⁠—but it’s one of the consequences of being poor, and of thoroughly hating and detesting to be poor, and that’s my case.’ Now, you look lovely, pa; why don’t you always wear your hair like that? And here’s the cutlet! If it isn’t very brown, ma, I can’t eat it, and must have a bit put back to be done expressly.”

However, as it was brown, even to Bella’s taste, the young lady graciously partook of it without reconsignment to the frying-pan, and also, in due course, of the contents of the two bottles: whereof one held Scotch ale and the other rum. The latter perfume, with the fostering aid of boiling water and lemon-peel, diffused itself throughout the room, and became so highly concentrated around the warm fireside, that the wind passing over the house roof must have rushed off charged with a delicious whiff of it, after buzzing like a great bee at that particular chimney-pot.

“Pa,” said Bella, sipping the fragrant mixture and warming her favourite ankle; “when old Mr. Harmon made such a fool of me

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