The "Flower of Gloster," (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 Excerpt: ...shillings would have been enough?" "It would indeed, sur--and I'll take it now, if so be you think I've not done fairly by you." I lay back on the cabin roof, and, upon my soul, I laughed. "You're quite right," said I. "One does these things so often with one's eyes open, that after a time they become glazed. I remember once when I lived near Covent Garden, I used to get up early of a morning before the market closed, and I'd get Darwin tulips for twopence a bunch. Now, when I go to a florist up west, they charge me a shilling. What's more, I pay it. It's the same thing." "Well, I'll take fifteen shillings, sur," he repeated, "if so be you think I haven't done fairly by you." "I'd sooner give you five more than fifteen less," said I. "A man's philosophy is worth it any day of the week. But what I want to know is, where you learn these things. You say you think what you find; but what do you find?" He was silent for a moment while he took the narrow passage beneath a bridge. When we had come out into the open canal once more, he turned and looked at me. "Well, sur, last year I was coming along this very pound, and as I came by a corner down there--I was just in front of Fanny on the tow-path--I started up a hawk from the hedge. I thought she could be up to no good, so I marked the place with me eye, and at first when I came along I could see nothing. But when I went down on me hands and knees, I made out a dead field-mouse--them little creatures wi' the pointy nose, the size of a man's little finger. Did I say she was dead? She wasn't quite. The little beast was quivering. The hawk had dug her out of her hole, and there was the little store of nuts and berries she'd set by her fo...