Page:In defense of Harriet Shelley, and other essays.djvu/366

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MARK TWAIN

"That is right. I was sure you would not go; it would take the food from my family s mouths.

"Would they mind that? Do they eat these fiendish things?"

They ? My family ? His eyes were full of gentle wonder. "Of course not."

"Oh, they don t! Do you?"

"Certainly not."

"I see. It s another case of a physician who doesn t take his own medicine."

I don t need it. It is six hours since you lunched. Will you have supper now or later?"

"I am not hungry, but now is as good a time as any, and I would like to be done with it and have it off my mind. It is about my usual time, and regu larity is commanded by all the authorities. Yes, I will try to nibble a little now I wish a light horse whipping would answer instead."

The professor handed me that odious menu.

"Choose or will you have it later?"

"Oh, dear me, show me to my room; I forgot your hard rule."

"Wait just a moment before you finally decide There is another rule. If you choose now, the order will be filled at once; but if you wait, you will have to await my pleasure. You cannot get a dish from that entire bill until I consent."

"All right. Show me to my room, and send the cook to bed; there is not going to be any hurry."

The professor took me up one flight of stairs and showed me into a most inviting and comfortable

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