[The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkington]@TWC D-Link book
The Magnificent Ambersons

CHAPTER II
12/16

"Listen here, mamma; grandpa wouldn't wipe his shoe on that ole story-teller, would he ?" "Georgie, you mustn't--" "I mean: none of the Ambersons wouldn't have anything to do with him, would they?
He doesn't even know you, does he, mamma ?" "That hasn't anything to do with it." "Yes, it has! I mean: none of the Amberson family go to see him, and they never have him come in their house; they wouldn't ask him to, and they prob'ly wouldn't even let him." "That isn't what we're talking about." "I bet," said Georgie emphatically, "I bet if he wanted to see any of 'em, he'd haf to go around to the side door!" "No, dear, they--" "Yes, they would, mamma! So what does it matter if I did say somep'm' to him he didn't like?
That kind o' people, I don't see why you can't say anything you want to, to 'em!" "No, Georgie.

And you haven't answered me whether you said that dreadful thing he says you did." "Well--" said Georgie.

"Anyway, he said somep'm' to me that made me mad." And upon this point he offered no further details; he would not explain to his mother that what had made him "mad" was Mr.Smith's hasty condemnation of herself: "Your mother ought to be ashamed," and, "A woman that lets a bad boy like you--" Georgie did not even consider excusing himself by quoting these insolences.
Isabel stroked his head.

"They were terrible words for you to use, dear.
From his letter he doesn't seem a very tactful person, but--" "He's just riffraff," said Georgie.
"You mustn't say so," his mother gently agreed "Where did you learn those bad words he speaks of?
Where did you hear any one use them ?" "Well, I've heard 'em several places.

I guess Uncle George Amberson was the first I ever heard say 'em.


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