The Man in Possession — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 57 gold and name. Ugh! it sounds revolting ! and yet it is done every day—every day praised by the world, blessed by the church—and I suppose I shall do it too. I thought once I never could, but now any life would seem better than this. Per- haps if I go to Croft, though that seems rather impossible, I may capture the hopeful youth. ‘Sir Wilfred Jocelyn and Lady Jocelyn’—it sounds well enough !” Then she laughed bitterly, and rose and rang the bell, and Biddy presently appeared with the pudding standing proudly amidst a sea of flames and adorned with a sprig of holly. ‘‘Shure, ‘tis grand, Miss,” she said admiringly. ‘But wait till you see the sauce, lave alone taste it, for the young man, he ladled me out some in a tay- cup, for ‘good luck,’ he said. He’s rare good company, Miss Kate. I’m sorry for you bein’ so lone- " some up here, but shure it’s myself has always said ‘The quality may be grand, and moighty supayrior in their ways o’ eatin’ and drinkin’, but sorra a bit o’ comfort or fun do they get out o’ their grandeur.’” ‘*You must come up here and have a glass of wine presently, Biddy, as you always do on Christ- mas day, and perhaps youd better ask the young man up also.” ‘Shure and he'll be proud to accipt—I’ 1] answer for that,” said Biddy, ‘‘though if I might be suggestin’, Miss Kate, its a drop o’ punch the likes o’ us would be for choosin’ ; wine is all very well for the quality.” ‘* By all means, have punch,” laughed Kate. ‘‘ But where are the ingredients ? ” COMicloe (Sri C(O)