Kipps, page 109 by H.G. Wells
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ling. He had been advised, he had been warned, he had been flattered and congratulated, he had been given whisky and hot water and lemon and sugar; and his health had been drunk in the same. He had also eaten two Welsh rarebits--an unusual supper. His uncle was chiefly for his going into Parliament, his aunt was consumed with a great anxiety. 'I'm afraid he'll go and marry beneath him.'
'Y'ought to 'ave a bit o' shootin' somewhere,' said old Kipps.
'It's your duty to marry into a county family, Artie--remember that.'
There's lots of young noblemen'll be glad to 'eng on to you,' said old Kipps. 'You mark my words. And borrow your money. And then good-day to ye.'
'I got to be precious careful,' said Kipps. 'Mr. Bean said that.'
'And you got to be precious careful of this old Bean,' said old Kipps. 'We may be out of the world in Noo Romney, but I've 'eard a bit about solicitors for all that. You keep your eye on old Bean, me b'y.'
''Ow do we know what 'e's up to, with your money, even now?' said old Kipps, pursuing his uncomfortable topic.
''E looked very respectable,' said Kipps.
Kipps undressed with great deliberation and with vast gasps of pensive margin. Twenty-six thousand pounds!
His aunt's solicitude had brought back certain matters into the foreground that his 'Twelve 'undred a year!' had for a time driven away altogether. His thoughts went back to the wood-carving class. Twelve Hundred a Year. He sat on the edge of the bed in profound meditation, and his boots fell 'whop' and 'whop' upon the floor, with a long interval between each 'whop.' Twenty-six thousand pounds. 'By Gum!' He dropped the remainder of his costume about him on the floor, got into bed, pulled the patchwork quilt over him, and put his head on the pillow that had been first to hear of Ann Pornick's accession to his heart. But he did not think of Ann Pornick now.
It was about everything in the world except Ann Pornick that he seemed to be trying to think of--simultaneously.