[The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens]@TWC D-Link book
The Mystery of Edwin Drood

CHAPTER XII--A NIGHT WITH DURDLES
10/25

My spirit is ready for 'em.' 'Do you mean animal spirits, or ardent ?' 'The one's the t'other,' answers Durdles, 'and I mean 'em both.' He takes a lantern from a hook, puts a match or two in his pocket wherewith to light it, should there be need; and they go out together, dinner-bundle and all.
Surely an unaccountable sort of expedition! That Durdles himself, who is always prowling among old graves, and ruins, like a Ghoul--that he should be stealing forth to climb, and dive, and wander without an object, is nothing extraordinary; but that the Choir-Master or any one else should hold it worth his while to be with him, and to study moonlight effects in such company is another affair.

Surely an unaccountable sort of expedition, therefore! ''Ware that there mound by the yard-gate, Mister Jarsper.' 'I see it.

What is it ?' 'Lime.' Mr.Jasper stops, and waits for him to come up, for he lags behind.
'What you call quick-lime ?' 'Ay!' says Durdles; 'quick enough to eat your boots.

With a little handy stirring, quick enough to eat your bones.' They go on, presently passing the red windows of the Travellers' Twopenny, and emerging into the clear moonlight of the Monks' Vineyard.
This crossed, they come to Minor Canon Corner: of which the greater part lies in shadow until the moon shall rise higher in the sky.
The sound of a closing house-door strikes their ears, and two men come out.

These are Mr.Crisparkle and Neville.


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