The day of her advent Bradley entered Mainwaring's
room, and, closing the door mysteriously, fixed his blue eyes, kindling
with mischief, on the young Englishman.
"You are aware, my dear boy," he began with affected gravity, "that you
are now living in a land of liberty, where mere artificial distinctions
are not known, and where Freedom from her mountain heights generally
levels all social positions. I think you have graciously admitted that
fact."
"I know I've been taking a tremendous lot of freedom with you and yours,
old man, and it's a deuced shame," interrupted Mainwaring, with a faint
smile.
"And that nowhere," continued Bradley, with immovable features, "does
equality exist as perfectly as above yonder unfathomable abyss, where
you have also, doubtless, observed the American eagle proudly soars and
screams defiance."
"Then that was the fellow that kept me awake this morning, and made me
wonder if I was strong enough to hold a gun again."
"That wouldn't have settled the matter," continued Bradley,
imperturbably. "The case is simply this: Miss Minty Sharpe, that
blacksmith's daughter, has once or twice consented, for a slight
emolument, to assist in our domestic service for a day or two, and she
comes back again to-day.
Pages:
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43