Mike Fletcher - A Novel

The Project Gutenberg eBook, Mike Fletcher, by George (George Augustus) MooreThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: Mike Fletcher A NovelAuthor: George (George Augustus) MooreRelease Date: September 21, 2005 [eBook #16730]Language: English***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MIKE FLETCHER***E-text prepared by Andrew SlyMIKE FLETCHERA NovelbyGEORGE MOOREAuthor of"A Mummer's Wife," "Confessions of a Young Man," Etc.1889TO MY BROTHER AUGUSTUS, IN MEMORY OF MANYYEARS OF MUTUAL ASPIRATION AND LABOURCHAPTER IOaths, vociferations, and the slamming of cab-doors. The darkness was decorated by the pink of a silk skirt, the crimsonof an opera-cloak vivid in the light of a carriage-lamp, with women's faces, necks, and hair. The women sprang gaily fromhansoms and pushed through the swing-doors. It was Lubini's famous restaurant. Within the din was deafening. "What cheer, 'Ria! 'Ria's on the job,"roared thirty throats, all faultlessly clothed in the purest linen. They stood round a small bar, and two women and a boyendeavoured to execute their constant orders for brandies-and-sodas. They were shoulder to shoulder, and had to holdtheir liquor almost in each other's faces. A man whose hat had been broken addressed reproaches to a friend, ...