NP: Shandy, exerp

[David Morris]

"The Fragment.
*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
* * ---- You are half asleep, my good
lady, said the old gentleman, taking
hold of the old lady's hand and giving
it a gentle squeeze, as he pronounced
the word Whiskers ---- shall we change
the subject ? By no means, replied the
old lady -- I like your account of these
matters : so throwing a thin gauze
handkerchief over her head, and leaning
it back upon the chair with her face
turned towards him, and advancing her
two feet as she reclined herself -- I desire,
continued she, you will go on.

  The old gentleman went on as follows.
------ Whiskers ! cried the queen of
Navarre, dropping her knotting-ball, as
La Fosseuse uttered the word ---- Whis-
kers ; madam, said La Fosseuse, pinning
the ball to the queen's apron, and mak-
ing a courtesy as she repeated it.

  La Fosseuse's voice was naturally soft
and low, yet 'twas an articulate voice :
and every letter of the word whiskers fell
distinctly upon the queen of Navarre's
ear -- Whiskers ! cried the queen, laying
a greater stress upon the word, and as if
she had still distrusted her ears -- Whis-
kers ; replied La Fosseuse, repeating the
word a third time -- There is not a cava-
lier, madam, of his age in Navarre, con-
tinued the maid of honour, pressing the
page's interest upon the queen, that has
so gallant a pair -- Of what ? cried Mar-
garet, smiling ---- Of whiskers, said La
Fosseuse, with infinite modesty.

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