MARK TWAIN
"That is right. I was sure you would not go; it would take the food from my family s mouths.
"Would they mind that? Do they eat these fiendish things?"
They ? My family ? His eyes were full of gentle wonder. "Of course not."
"Oh, they don t! Do you?"
"Certainly not."
"I see. It s another case of a physician who doesn t take his own medicine."
I don t need it. It is six hours since you lunched. Will you have supper now or later?"
"I am not hungry, but now is as good a time as any, and I would like to be done with it and have it off my mind. It is about my usual time, and regu larity is commanded by all the authorities. Yes, I will try to nibble a little now I wish a light horse whipping would answer instead."
The professor handed me that odious menu.
"Choose or will you have it later?"
"Oh, dear me, show me to my room; I forgot your hard rule."
"Wait just a moment before you finally decide There is another rule. If you choose now, the order will be filled at once; but if you wait, you will have to await my pleasure. You cannot get a dish from that entire bill until I consent."
"All right. Show me to my room, and send the cook to bed; there is not going to be any hurry."
The professor took me up one flight of stairs and showed me into a most inviting and comfortable
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