The Man in Possession — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 37 CHAPTER IV. BEHIND THE SCENES. Tue clocks were striking midnight when Biddy returned, escorted by Fletcher, and—sad to say—in acondition that rendered such escort very necessary. She had met with some compatriots who had be- guiled her into having ‘‘a glass” in honour of the season, and the ‘‘ glass” had. led on to another and another until Biddy’s tongue grew mildly loquacious, and Biddys legs spoke in unmistakable language of loss of equilibrium. In this sore strait she had fortunately come upon the useful and ever obliging Fletcher, and was by him piloted over muddy crossings and past inconvenient lamp-posts, and—still clinging faithfully to her mar- ket basket—at last down the area steps and landed in her own kitchen. The ‘‘assistant” bailiff, hearing the noise of feet and voices, went down to those lower regions, and was greeted by Biddy with great dignity and solem- nity. Fletcher apologised for his long delay, and ex- pressed great gratitude forthe service the young man had rendered him. His daughter was very much in- COMicloe (Sri C(O)