Kipps, page 279 by H.G. Wells
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gh the Kippses never drank wine...
Kipps turned to the more legible of his two post cards again.
''Unavoidably prevented from seein' me to-day,' 'e says. I like 'is cheek. After I give 'im 'is start and everything.'
He blew.
''E certainly treats you a bit orf and,' said Ann.
Kipps gave vent to his dislike of young Walshingham.
'He's getting too big for 'is britches,' he said. 'I'm beginning to wish she 'ad brought an action for breach. Ever since 'e said the wouldn't, 'e's seemed to think I've got no right to spend my own money.'
''E's never liked your building the 'ouse,' said Ann.
Kipps displayed wrath. 'What the goodness 'as it got to do wiv 'im?'
'Overmantel, indeed!' he added; 'Overmantel!... 'E tries that on with me--I'll tell 'im something 'e won't like.'
He took up the second card. 'Dashed if I can read a word of it. I can just make out Chit'low at the end, and that's all.'
He scrutinised it. 'It's like some one in a fit writing. This here might be W-H-A-T--what. P-R-I-C-E--I got it! What price Harry now? It was a sort of saying of 'is. I expect 'e's either done something or not done something towards starting that play, Ann.'
'I expect that's about it,' said Ann.
Kipps grunted with effort. 'I can't read the rest,' he said at last, 'nohow.'
A thoroughly annoying post. He pitched the card on the table, stood up and went to the window, where Ann, after a momentary reconnaissance at Chitterlow's hieroglyphics, came to join him.
'Wonder what I shall do this afternoon,' said Kipps, with his hands deep in his pockets.
He produced and lit a cigarette.
'Go for a walk, I s'pose,' said Ann.
'I been for a walk this morning.'
'S'pose I must go for another,' he added, after an interval.
They regarded the windy waste of sea for a space.
'Wonder why it is 'e won't see me,' said Kipps, returning to the problem of young Walshingham. 'It's all lies about 'is being too busy.'