The Grinder Papers — page 60: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE GRINDER PAPERS. | 55 “Little contretemps will occur, ” says she. ‘<T’d baste contrary Toms with horsewhips then,” says I, for I was mad to be cheated out of my tea. ‘‘Biddy,” says she, ‘‘make a little new tea for Miss Grinder.” Away went Biddy, and in she comes, sooner than I expected, with a teapot. «“Thare’s a clane cup for ye,” says she, but when I tasted it— excuse me for writin’ such vulgar words, but it tasted o bed- bugs. | Says I, ‘This ain't tea. Says Miss Kittikins, ‘‘Where did you get it, Biddy?” Says Biddy, ‘‘ There wasa paper of it on the top shelf The other was out.” ‘‘A blue paper?” says Miss Kittikins. ‘‘Yes, mum,” says Biddy. ‘““Law!” says she. ‘‘That’s the old stuffin out o my mat- tress. I wrapped it up to show the upholsterer what I wanted “my new one filled with. Who put it on the shelf, I don't know, but I knowed it by its singular smell when it was found 39 out. TI never felt so sick before since the hour I was born. Well, that finished my meal, and I up and left the tabie. Before I'd got out o the room Cousin Kittikins follered, and we was all together up stairs agin. I du believe even Miss Kit- - tikins felt kinder squalmish. She says, as she comes into the parlor: ‘“Why don’t you ever wear the Bloomer costume, Miss Grin- der?” says she. “S co comicboo