[rajnish manga]

Three Sundays in a Week

By: Edgar Allen Poe

YOU hard-headed, dunder-headed, obstinate, rusty, crusty, musty, fusty, old savage!" said I, in fancy, one afternoon, to my grand uncle Rumgudgeon --- shaking my fist at him in imagination. Only in imagination. The fact is, some trivial discrepancy did exist, just then, between what I said and what I had not the courage to say --- between what I did and what I had half a mind to do.

The old porpoise, as I opened the drawing-room door, was sitting with his feet upon the mantel-piece, and a bumper of port in his paw, making strenuous efforts to accomplish the ditty.

Remplis ton verre vide! Vide ton verre plein!

"My dear uncle," said I, closing the door gently, and approaching him with the blandest of smiles, "you are always so very kind and considerate, and have evinced your benevolence in so many --- so very many ways --- that --- that I feel I have only to suggest this little point to you once more to make sure of your full acquiescence."

"Hem!" said he, "good boy! go on!"

"I am sure, my dearest uncle [you confounded old rascal!], that you have no design really, seriously, to oppose my union with Kate. This is merely a joke of yours, I know --- ha! ha! ha! --- how very pleasant you are at times."

"Ha! ha! ha!" said he, "curse you! yes!"

"To be sure --- of course! I knew you were jesting. Now, uncle, all that Kate and myself wish at present, is that you would oblige us with your advice as --- as regards the time --- you know, uncle --- in short, when will it be most convenient for yourself, that the wedding shall --- shall come off, you know?"

"Come off, you scoundrel! --- what do you mean by that? --- Better wait till it goes on."

"Ha! ha! ha! --- he! he! he! --- hi! hi! hi! --- ho! ho! ho! --- hu! hu! hu!- that's good! --- oh that's capital --- such a wit! But all we want just now, you know, uncle, is that you would indicate the time precisely."