Sawn Off; A Tale of a Family Tree (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. 1891. Excerpt: ... chair-arm, a good cigar was in his lips, and as he smoked he diligently read the Times, There was an appearance about Richard Shingle of having been dressed and had his hair brushed by somebody else, with the result that he was not quite comfortable; and every now and then he looked at the stubby fingers of his right hand, and had a bite at the hard skin at the sides, as if to help them to grow soft and genteel; for though as clean as if he had boiled them every day, to get them rid of old stains, they looked as thorough a pair of workman's hands as it was possible to encounter in friendly grasp or clenched in warfare unpleasantly near your nose. "Phew this is hard work," said Dick, pulling out a crimson silk handkerchief and wiping his forehead. Then, laying down the paper, he rose, crossed the room, and poured himself out a little brandy from a decanter, before taking up a bottle of soda water. There was a sharp explosion: the cork struck a gas globe with a loud ring, and before Dick could pour out the contents of the bottle, half of it was on the Turkey carpet, drenching his hands and the front of his dressinggown. "If it was only genteel to swear," he thought, "I'd have such a good one. Yah, it's as gassy as brother Max. Wonder he has never found me out. Here's a pretty mess 1 Ah that's better, though," he continued, as he poured out and drank the refreshing draught before returning to his seat, wiping his hands upon his crimson silk handkerchief. "It's very good sort of stuff, brandy and soda, specially the brandy; but I don't know that I like it so well as half a pint of beer just drawn up cool out of a cellar, with plenty of head. Ah, those were days after all " he said, sorrowfully. "One can't go and have half-pints now, Hold hard, my lad Taboo...