One time she longed to pinch her husband's ear; and it was with
infinite difficulty that his sister could prevail upon him to undergo
the operation. Yet this task was easy, in comparison with another
she undertook for the gratification of Mrs. Pickle's unaccountable
desire; which was no other than to persuade the commodore to submit
his chin to the mercy of the big-bellied lady, who ardently wished
for an opportunity of plucking three black hairs from his beard.
When this proposal was first communicated to Mr. Trunnion by the
husband, his answer was nothing but a dreadful effusion of oaths,
accompanied with such a stare, and delivered in such a tone
of voice, as terrified the poor beseecher into immediate silence;
so that Mrs. Grizzle was fain to take the whole enterprise upon
herself, and next day went to the garrison accordingly, where,
having obtained entrance by means of the lieutenant, who, while
his commander was asleep, ordered her to be admitted for the joke's
sake, she waited patiently till he turned out, and then accosted
him in the yard, where he used to perform his morning walk.
Pages:
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73