[The Astonishing History of Troy Town by Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch]@TWC D-Link book
The Astonishing History of Troy Town

CHAPTER VI
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By them sat Mr.
Moggridge, the poet, good at the responses, and Sam Buzza, his friend, whom few Trojans excelled in casting glances at the female congregation.

Then, most gorgeous and bravest of all, the Admiral: he wore again his gold-laced coat, but the cocked-hat rested underneath the seat, and none could fathom the import of his gaze.
By him sat his three daughters, a-row, in straight-backed dresses of like cut and colour, and peeped over their prayer-books; and Mrs.
Buzza, timorous, in bright green satin.

But of the throng of Trojan men and women, not though I had a hundred mouths, etc., etc.
"Her dress must have cost nine shillings a yard if it cost a penny," said Miss Limpenny when they were outside in the open air.
She looked at the ground as she said so, for she could forget neither the Nightcap nor the Telescope.
The Admiral was silent.
"She is very lovely," remarked Mrs.Buzza, "and did you remark how the Vicar paused in the Litany when he came to 'all the Nobility' ?" "I was particularly careful to pray for Lord Sinkport," said Calypso, innocently.
Still the Admiral was silent.

That afternoon Mrs.Buzza, stealing softly into the back parlour lest she should disturb her lord, was amazed, in place of the usual recumbent form with a bandanna over its face, to find him sitting up, wide awake, and staring gloomily.
"My dear--" she began in her confusion.
The Admiral turned a Gorgon stare upon her, but made no answer.
Under its petrifying influence she backed out without another word, to communicate with the girls upon the portent.
This mood of the Admiral's lasted all day.

Next morning, at breakfast, he looked up from his bacon, and observed, with the air of a man whose mind is made up-- "Emily, see that the girls have on their best gowns by eleven o'clock sharp.


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