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I put the cheeses on
the top, and we started off at a shamble that would
have done credit to the swiftest steam-roller ever built, (9)and
all went merry as a funeral bell, until we turned the corner. There, the
wind carried a whiff from the cheeses full
on to our steed. It woke him up,
and with a snort of terror, he dashed off at three miles an hour.
(10)The wind still blew
in his direction, and before we reached the end of the street he was laying
himself out (11)at
the rate of nearly four miles an hour, leaving the cripples and stout ladies
simply nowhere.
It took two porters as well
as the driver to hold him in at the station; and I
do not think we would have done it, even then, had not one of the men had
the presence of mind to put a handkerchief over his nose, and to light a
bit of brown paper. (12)
I took my ticket, and marched
proudly up the platform , with my cheeses, the people falling
back respectfully on
(13) either side.
The train was crowded, and I had to get into a carriage where there were
already seven other people. One crusty old gentleman objected, but I got
in, notwithstanding; and putting my cheeses upon the rack, squeezed down
with a pleasant smile, and said it was a warm day. A few moments passed,
and then the old gentleman began to fidget. |
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English
Intensive Reading 
Introduction
