Malvina of Brittany

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Jerome Klapka Jerome. Malvina of Brittany

MALVINA OF BRITTANY

THE PREFACE

I. THE STORY

II. HOW IT CAME ABOUT

III. HOW COUSIN CHRISTOPHER BECAME MIXED UP WITH IT

IV. HOW IT WAS KEPT FROM MRS. ARLINGTON

V. HOW IT WAS TOLD TO MRS. MARIGOLD

VI. AND HOW IT WAS FINISHED TOO SOON

THE PROLOGUE

THE STREET OF THE BLANK WALL

HIS EVENING OUT

THE LESSON

SYLVIA OF THE LETTERS

THE FAWN GLOVES

Отрывок из книги

The Doctor never did believe this story, but claims for it that, to a great extent, it has altered his whole outlook on life.

"Of course, what actually happened – what took place under my own nose," continued the Doctor, "I do not dispute. And then there is the case of Mrs. Marigold. That was unfortunate, I admit, and still is, especially for Marigold. But, standing by itself, it proves nothing. These fluffy, giggling women – as often as not it is a mere shell that they shed with their first youth – one never knows what is underneath. With regard to the others, the whole thing rests upon a simple scientific basis. The idea was 'in the air,' as we say – a passing brain-wave. And when it had worked itself out there was an end of it. As for all this Jack-and-the-Beanstalk tomfoolery – "

.....

"This," he said, "is Professor Littlecherry, my Cousin Christopher, about whom I told you."

It was obvious that Malvina regarded the Professor as a person of importance. Evidently her intention was to curtsy, an operation that, hampered by those trailing yards of clinging khaki, might prove – so it flashed upon the Professor – not only difficult but dangerous.

.....