Part 35 (1/2)
”That depends upon ,” replied the General
”You lad to risk it”
”Well, perhaps Mr Barnue you, if you asked him,”
said Lavinia
”Would you really like to havehis arh to touch her
”Of course I would,” was the reply
The little General's arm clasped the waist closer as he turned his face nearer to hers, and said:
”Don't you think it would be pleasanter if ent as reed that it would
Aand the Commodore entered
”You here, General?” said the Commodore as he espied his rival
”Yes,” said Lavinia, ”Mr Barnu for you”
”Where is Mr Barnuone to bed,” answered Tom Thumb, ”but a supper has been prepared for you”
”I ary, thank you,” said the Commodore petulantly, ”What room does Mr Barnum sleep in?”
He was answered, and i in bed
”Mr Barnum,” he said sarcastically, ”does Tom Thumb BOARD here?”
”No,” said Mr Barnum, ”Toht, so don't be foolish, but go to bed”
”Oh, it's no affair of ht he'd taken up his residence here” And off he went to bed, in a very bad humor
Ten reatest exciteed, Mr Barnued!”
”Is that possible?” said Barnum
”Yes sir, indeed it is,” responded the General, ”but you reed to tell no one, so don't say a word I' to ask her Mother's consent Tuesday”
Barnum swore secrecy, and the General went off radiant with happiness
The next day the family plied Lavinia with all sorts of questions, but not a breath passed her lips that would give the slightest indication as to what had transpired She was most ao hoood humor were fully restored The General ed to have an intervieith Lavinia The nextshe and the Commodore returned to New York, without Mr Barnum
The General called on Monday to tell Mr Barnum that he had concluded to send his letter to Lavinia's o to Middleboro' the next day, and to urge the General's suit if necessary