I Forbid the Banns! — page 331: what you’re looking at

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

ON THE DISADVANTAGES OF ELECTRIC LIGHT. 321 _ has always a freer hand in punching a man’s head in the open air. In the midst of a breezy landscape one does a thing of this sort very much better than when subjected to the restrictions incidental to such a transaction within doors; and Charlie Barham meant to punch the head of Mr. Bet- stein before he slept. He knew he could do it without causing an undue strain upon his powers. , It is satisfactory for anyone to feel equal to the duty of punishing a man who has behaved like a scoundrel. On the other hand, it is very irritating when your scoundrel stands anything over six feet, especially if he is made in proportion. When he is made in proportion you will be acting wisely-—unless you stand six feet three yourself—if you leave him to the gnawing of his own conscience. Charlie knew that Mr. Betstein was heavily handicapped in any personal conflict by his nose. Such an organ invited the aggressive fist. It did not need that one should be more than a casual critic to perceive that Mr. Betstein’s face presented fine opportunities to an assailant, and Charlie was more than a casual critic. He was something of a connoisseur in such matters ; and he honestly believed that the shape and superficial area of Mr. Betstein’s nose invited interference. These open air reflections naturally increased the eager- ness of the lad to discover the whereabouts of the person to whom they referred. Only once did the thought occur to him that it was quite possible that Mrs. Charlton’s nerv- ousness might not be due to Mr. Betstein. He crushed down this unworthy suggestion, and hurried on to the only quarter that he had left unexplored—namely, the green- houses. The large palm house with the dome contained many persons sitting, mostly in couples, on the low and luxurious chairs in the recesses among the palms. Among these CORNIECLOOKS (E(0)