"DEAREST."
Shortly after Mrs. Frances Hodg3on Burnett's 1 :, "Little Lord Fauntleroy," appeared, she went with her two littlo boys to a seaside hotel. The story had made a, great sensation, and there had ensued a regular epidemic of Fauntloroy curls, Fauntleroy suits, and Faunlleroy youngsters. In the next room to that occupied by Mrs. Burnett was a dashing, rather over-dressed widow, with a red-haired, bullet-headed son of about seven, w*ho was the terror of the hotel. Anticipating tho arrival of Iho famous author, his mother had purchased a complete and elaborate Fauntleroy outfit, with which she proceeded to deck out her unappreciative and rebellious offspring. Not content with thi3 outward scorning, the woman desired to complete the caricature by compelling her pre.'iciis child to address her as '-Dearest," aitor the manner of the hero of the book, instead of "Mommor," or, more frequently, merely, "Say," as had been hispicvioua custom. Mrs. Burno'.t arrived no sooner than she had been expected, hut appaiently before little Johnny had completed his course cf instruction in filial courtesy, as was evident by the sounds which penetrated tho thin lath and plaster partitions between the rooms. This i 3 what Mrs. Bumetfc heard: — "Johnny !" Silence. ' "Johnny, do you hear me?" Silence. * "Call me 'Dsarost!'" Silence. "Will you call me 'Dearest,' or shall I make you?' 1 "Yer can't make mo." "Yes. I can. Call me 'Dearest !' " "Go to blazes!" "That's no way to speak to me." "It's it good sight better'n you want me to cay.-" "It isn't. Call me 'Dearest.' " Silence. "Do you want mo to use the trunk strap? Call mo 'Dearest!'" Silence. "Call me 'Dearest!'" Silence. Biff-biff-biff-biff! "Call me 'Dearest!'" "I won't!" Biff! "I won't lV ßiff-biff ! "Ouch, you hurt!" "Then call mo 'Dearest!'" "Oh, all right then, Dearest." "Now, see here. If you don't remember to call mo 'Dearest* at dinner to-night I'll wallop you within an inch of your life, you ungrateful thing."
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19070720.2.88
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 18, 20 July 1907, Page 10
Word Count
323"DEAREST." Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 18, 20 July 1907, Page 10
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