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Sleary’s Horsemanship

           Slearystoodinthemiddleoftheroom,withthemalemembersofthecompanyabouthim,exactlyashewouldhavestoodinthecentreoftheringduringhisdaughterJosephine’sperformance.Hewantednothingbuthiswhip.

           Thebasketpackedinsilence,theybroughtherbonnettoher,andsmoothedherdisorderedhair,andputiton.Thentheypressedabouther,andbentoverherinverynaturalattitudes,kissingandembracingher:andbroughtthechildrentotakeleaveofher;andwereatender-hearted,simple,foolishsetofwomenaltogether.

           ‘Now,Jupe,’saidMr.Gradgrind.‘Ifyouarequitedetermined,come!’

           Butshehadtotakeherfarewellofthemalepartofthecompanyyet,andeveryoneofthemhadtounfoldhisarms(fortheyallassumedtheprofessionalattitudewhentheyfoundthemselvesnearSleary),andgiveherapartingkissMasterKidderminsterexcepted,inwhoseyoungnaturetherewasanoriginalflavourofthemisanthrope,whowasalsoknowntohaveharbouredmatrimonialviews,andwhomoodilywithdrew.Mr.Slearywasreserveduntilthelast.Openinghisarmswidehetookherbybothherhands,andwouldhavesprungherupanddown,aftertheriding-mastermannerofcongratulatingyoungladiesontheirdismountingfromarapidact;buttherewasnoreboundinSissy,andsheonlystoodbeforehimcrying.

           ‘Good-bye,mydear!’saidSleary.‘You’llmakeyourfortun,Ihope,andnoneofourpoorfolkthwillevertroubleyou,I’llpoundit.

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Roboto Lora
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