What Will He Do with It

Publisher Marketing: This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1864 edition. Excerpt: ... eyeing Mr. Chapman, much as three inquisitors might have eyed a Jew, shook three solemn heads, and set the example of retreat. The last to linger were the rival proprietors of the theatre and the city concert-room. Each whispered the stranger--one the left ear, one the right. Each thrust into his hand a printed paper. As the door closed on them the Comedian let fall tho papers; his arm drooped to his side; his whole frame seemed to collapse. Hartopp took him by the hand, and led him gently to his own arm-chair beside the table. The Comedian dropped on the chair, still without speaking. Me. Haetopp.--" What is the matter? What has happened?" Waife.--" She is very ill;--in a bad way; the doctor says so--Dr. Gill." Me. Haetopp (feelingly).--"Your little girl in a bad way! Oh, no; doctors always exaggerate in order to get more credit for the cure. Not that I would disparage Dr. Gill--fellow-townsman--first-rate man. Still 'tis the way with doctors to talk cheerfully if one is in danger, and to look solemn if there is nothing to fear." Waife.--" Do you think so--you have children of your own, sir?--of her age, too?--Eh! eh!" Me. Haetopp.--"Yes; I know all about children--better, I think, than Mrs. H. does. What is the complaint?" Waife.--" The doctor says it is low fever." Me. Haetopp.--"Caused by nervous excitement, perhaps." Waife (looking up).--" Yes--that's what he says--nervous excitement." Me. Haetopp.--" Clever sensitive children, subjected precociously to emulation and emotion, are always liable to such maladies. My third girl, Anna Maria, fell into a low fever, caused by nervous excitement in trying for school prizes." Waife.--"Did she die... Contributor Bio:  Lytton, Edward Bulwer Lytton Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton was an English novelist, poet, playwright, and politician. Lord Lytton was a florid, popular writer of his day, who coined such phrases as "the great unwashed," "pursuit of the almighty dollar," "the pen is mightier than the sword," and the infamous incipit "It was a dark and stormy night."