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Collins, Wilkie, 1824-1889

"No Name"

Wragge, becoming violently excited in a moment.
"Boiled pork and greens and pease-pudding, for Number One. Stewed beef
and carrots and gooseberry tart, for Number Two. Cut of mutton, and
quick about it, well done, and plenty of fat, for Number Three. Codfish
and parsnips, two chops to follow, hot-and-hot, or I'll be the death of
you, for Number Four. Five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Carrots and
gooseberry tart--pease-pudding and plenty of fat--pork and beef and
mutton, and cut 'em all, and quick about it--stout for one, and ale for
t'other--and stale bread here, and new bread there--and this gentleman
likes cheese, and that gentleman doesn't--Matilda, Tilda, Tilda, Tilda,
fifty times over, till I didn't know my own name again--oh lord! oh
lord!! oh lord!!! all together, all at the same time, all out of temper,
all buzzing in my poor head like forty thousand million bees--don't tell
the captain! don't tell the captain!" The unfortunate creature dropped
the tattered old book, and beat both her hands on her head, with a look
of blank terror fixed on the door.
"Hush! hush!" said Magdalen. "The captain hasn't heard you. I know what
is the matter with your head now.


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