“They are things that commence with a capital letter,” said the Boy, promptly.
“Enough! Respect everything that commences with a capital letter! Respect Me!” and dropping a halfpenny in the hand of the Boy, he departed.
The Boy gazed fixedly at the coin. A frightful and instantaneous change overspread his features. His noble brow was corrugated with baser lines of calculation. His black eye, serpent-like, glittered with suppressed passion. Dropping upon his hands and feet, he crawled to the curbstone and hissed after the retreating form of the Baronet, the single word:
“Bilk!”
* * * * *
There are three more Chapters of this amusing parody to be found in Bret Harte’s Sensation Novels Condensed.
Another imitation of Lytton’s prose was published in The Individual November 8, 1836 (Cambridge), but it is not of sufficient interest to reprint.
On a Toasted Muffin.
By Sir E. L. B. L. B. L. B. Little, Bart.