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Reade, Charles, 1814-1884

"Peg Woffington"

And I believe so too.
Some years later Mrs. Triplet became eventful. She fell ill, and lay a
dying; but one fine morning, after all hope had been given up, she
suddenly rose and dressed herself. She was quite well in body now, but
insane.
She continued in this state a month, and then, by God's mercy, she
recovered her reason; but now the disease fell another step, and lighted
upon her temper--a more athletic vixen was not to be found. She had
spoiled Triplet for this by being too tame, so when the dispensation came
they sparred daily. They were now thoroughly unhappy. They were poor as
ever, and their benefactress was dead, and they had learned to snap. A
speculative tour had taken this pair to Bristol, then the second city in
England. They sojourned in the suburbs.
One morning the postman brought a letter for Triplet, who was showing his
landlord's boy how to plant onions. (N. B.-- Triplet had never planted an
onion, but he was one of your _a priori_ gentlemen, and could show
anybody how to do anything.) Triplet held out his hand for the letter,
but the postman held out his hand for a half crown first. Trip's
profession had transpired, and his clothes inspired diffidence. Triplet
appealed to his good feeling.
He replied with exultation, "That he had none left." (A middle-aged
postman, no doubt.)
Triplet then suddenly started from entreaty to King Cambyses' vein.


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