Mr. Horne was vexed and chilled;
and throwing the now hateful garments into a corner, and protecting
himself from the cold as best he might by standing with his knees
together and his body somewhat bent so as to give the skirts of his
coat an opportunity of doing extra duty, he begged me to see if
those jabbering females were not going to leave him in peace to
recover his own property. I accordingly went to the door, and
opening it to a small extent I peeped through.
Who shall describe my horror at the sight which I then saw? The
scene, which had hitherto been tinted with comic effect, was now
becoming so decidedly tragic that I did not dare at once to acquaint
my worthy pastor with that which was occurring,--and, alas! had
already occurred.
Five country-women of our own--it was easy to know them by their
dress and general aspect--were standing in the middle of the room;
and one of them, the centre of the group, the senior harpy of the
lot, a maiden lady--I could have sworn to that--with a red nose,
held in one hand a huge pair of scissors, and in the other--the
already devoted goods of my most unfortunate companion! Down from
the waistband, through that goodly expanse, a fell gash had already
gone through and through; and in useless, unbecoming disorder the
broadcloth fell pendant from her arm on this side and on that.
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