The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Town Traveller, by George Gissing

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Title: The Town Traveller

Author: George Gissing

Posting Date: July 12, 2009 [EBook #4308]
Release Date: August, 2003
First Posted: January 3, 2002

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TOWN TRAVELLER ***

Produced by Charles Aldarondo. HTML version by Al Haines.

The Town Traveller

by

George Gissing

CONTENTS

I MR. GAMMON BREAKFASTS IN BED
II A MISSING UNCLE
III THE CHINA SHOP
IV POLLY AND MR. PARISH
V A NONDESCRIPT
VI THE HEAD WAITER AT CHAFFEY'S
VII POLLY'S WRATH
VIII MR. GAMMON'S RESOLVE
IX POLLY'S DEFIANCE
X THE STORMING OF THE FORT
XI THE NOSE OF THE TREFOYLES
XII POLLY CONDESCENDS
XIII GAMMON THE CRAFTY
XIV MR. PARISH PURSUES A BROUGHAM
XV THE NAME OF GILDERSLEEVE
XVI AN ALLY IN THE QUEST
XVII POLLY SHOWS WEAKNESS
XVIII LORD POLPERRO'S REPRESENTATIVE
XIX NOT IN THE SECRET
XX THE HUSBAND'S RETURN
XXI HIS LORDSHIP'S WILL
XXII NEW YEAR'S EVE
XXIII HIS LORDSHIP RETIRES
XXIV THE TRAVELLER'S FICKLENESS AND FRAUD
XXV THE MISSING WORD
XXVI A DOUBLE EVENT
XXVII THE TRAVELLER AT REST

CHAPTER I

MR. GAMMON BREAKFASTS IN BED

Moggie, the general, knocked at Mr. Gammon's door, and was answered by
a sleepy "Hallo?"

"Mrs. Bubb wants to know if you know what time it is, sir? 'Cos it's
half-past eight an' more."

"All right!" sounded cheerfully from within. "Any letters for me?"

"Yes, sir; a 'eap."

"Bring 'em up, and put 'em under the door. And tell Mrs. Bubb I'll have
breakfast in bed; you can put it down outside and shout. And I say,
Moggie, ask somebody to run across and get me a 'Police News' and
'Clippings' and 'The Kennel'--understand? Two eggs, Moggie, and three
rashers, toasted crisp--understand?"

As the girl turned to descend a voice called to her from another room
on the same floor, a voice very distinctly feminine, rather shrill, and
a trifle imperative.

"Moggie, I want my hot water-sharp!"