The Opposite House: A Novel — page 227: what you’re looking at

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

222 The Opposite House. But, by the way, welcome to our house. I shouldn’t have known you at all.” He puta pair of eye-glasses on his nose and, with- out altering his negligent posture, held out his hand. Marie took no notice of the gesture, but bowed somewhat formally, and said that she would not in- terrupt him longer. Hus boorish manners irritated her. “ Bétise /’’ replied Hasso, soothingly. “You see, Marie, that I don’t disturb myself at all—don’t allow myself to be interrupted. I never do—never! You won't shake hands with me? Very well, just as you choose. I understand the timidity of you ladies. But no ceremony; draw up yonder chair and sit down. I'll read you a few capital jokes from Punch. 1 hope you understand English?” He pointed with his foot toward the piece of furniture. His morocco slipper fell off, displaying a red-silk stocking. ‘ Miserable canazlle /”’ cried Hasso, bend- ing his noble back to replace it. He would doubt- less have accepted the service had Marie sprung forward to relieve him of the trouble. ‘ There are plenty of liveried rascals running about the house,” he went on, trying to find the most comfortable place among the cushions. ‘“ They fairly tread on one another’s heels; but nobody is at hand when wanted—of course !” This sort of treatment began to amuse the young CoOmicbool<s C@ 5}