Things in General (Volume 2)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1878. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... By Nerissa. JVERYTHING was prepared--the drawingroom arranged to perfection--extra mats and antimacassars had been strewn about to inconvenience the unwary; the albums had all been taken up and replaced slightly more askew than usual; the dust had more than once been forced from its accustomed resting place to find another in the same vicinity; the piano had received an extra rub, and stood proudly in its corner redolent with sweet-scented furniture polish. Down in the lower regions (of the house) all hands were at work; the cook had already cut a few thousand, more or less, infinitesimal ham and beef sandwiches, and had stood them on a shelf to get dry. She had placed the jellies, and the should-be white blanc-manges in an elevated place to catch the passing dust; she had begun to make the ices, but that process had been nipped in the bud by the fall of a few dozen plates, which caused everything to be forgotten. The housemaid had already brought to light the best glasses; had polished a few, broken a few, and smeared the rest; she had obtained, with much difficulty and many keys, the best plate, the two crocodiles for salt, the Ojibiway Indian for jam; the owls with perforated heads for pepper; one dozen forks, one dozen spoons, etc. It was rather unfortunate, but the said silver, during the descent to the kitchen, was suddenly deposited on the ground, which little episode caused the assemblage of the whole household on to one stair, whereupon was found, after much pushing and noise, that the Ojibiway's arm was broken, and a crocodile's eye was pushed in with a fork, which misfortune caused the maimed ones, with many others, to be immured once more; but accidents will happen. All was bustle and noise; every one got in everybody else's way; everybody ...