H G Wells

Mr. Britling Sees It Through H G Wells

Book Excerpt: ...ching's Easy. Oblivious of any conversational necessities between Mr. Direck and Mr. Britling, this official now took charge of Mr. Direck's grip-sack, and, falling into line with the two gentlemen as they walked towards the exit gate, resumed what was evidently an interrupted discourse upon sweet peas, originally addressed to Mr. Britling. He was a small, elderly man with a determined-looking face and a sea voice, and it was clear he overestimated the distance of his hearers."Mr. Darling what's head gardener up at Claverings, 'e can't get sweet peas like that, try 'ow 'e will. Tried everything 'e 'as. Sand ballast, 'e's tried. Seeds same as me. 'E came along 'ere only the other day, 'e did, and 'e says to me, 'e says, 'darned 'f I can see why a station-master should beat a professional gardener at 'is own game, ' 'e says, 'but you do. And in your orf time, too, so's to speak, ' 'e says. 'I've tried sile, ' 'e says--""Your first visit to England?" asked Mr. Britling of hi