First there was
a great snarl, and then a deferential voice, 'This alters the case,
sir.' But the old man swore down in his throat that he didn't care
for Colonel Brownlow or Colonel anybody. 'A gentleman, sir; one of
the most respected.' 'Then he should bring up his family better.'
'Indeed, sir, it might be better to accept the apology. This might
not be considered actionable damage.' 'We'll see that!' 'Indeed,
don't you agree with me, Mr. Richards, the magistrates would hardly
entertain the case.' 'Then I'll appeal; I'll send a representation
to the Home Office.' 'Is it not to be considered, sir, whether some
of these low papers might not put it in a ludicrous light?' Then,"
continued Allen, who had been most dramatically mimicking the two
voices, "we heard a crackling as if he were opening my letter, and
after an odd noise or two he sent to call us in to where he was
sitting with Richards, and the attorney he had got to prosecute us.
He is a regular old wizened stick, the perfect image of an old miser;
almost hump-backed, and as yellow as a mummy. He looked just ready
to bite off our heads, but he was amazingly set on finding out which
was which among us, and seemed uncommonly struck with my name and
Bobus's. My uncle told him I was called after your father, and he
made a snarl just like a dog over a bone.
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