Tom Gallon

“ Ever since the far-off days when he had held his tiny daughter in his arms, and had soothed her to sleep by repeating, in a hoarse whisper, certain favourite lines from his repertoire, he had determined that she should be a lady. ”

“ Jack, dear, I owe everything to him; but for him, I might be poor and struggling, too."
Jack Rycroft had but one thought. "We must find him," he said. "You are not to blame, because he sealed your lips—but, by Jove! he's the finest fellow living. We must find him, Lucy, if we search all England."
The search proved to be a long and weary one; for the Heavy 'Un had apparently disappeared, as completely as though the earth had swallowed him up. ”

“ I've tried to make you something better—tried to push you into a front place, with the limelight right on you. Dance in the limelight, Lucy, keep right in the middle of the boards, ... and remember that the old super, in the back row, cranes his neck to catch a glimpse of you—and that he loves you. ”

“ It took a long time in the telling, because it was necessary for the Heavy 'Un to dash on to the stage, at frequent intervals, to murder some one, or to be foiled alternately, and to receive frantic hisses as his just reward.
"You know. Daddy dear, that I've been growing up for quite a long time. ... I'm a lot past eighteen ... and so you haven't any right to be surprised at anything I do. It all seems like a dream, although it has happened in less than two days. Daddy—bless your dear, sweet, old painted face—I'm married!" ”

“ Physically, the Heavy 'Un—whose real name, as set forth on the placards on the town hoardings, was Buckstone Suker—belied the title bestowed upon him; for he was somewhat small of stature, and the long overcoat, which bore upon its collar and cuffs the fur of some absolutely unknown beast—which might, from its appearance, have been shedding its own coat at the time of its decease—hung but loosely upon him, and was, indeed, more pretentious in appearance than its owner. But, fortunately for Mr. Buckstone Suker, men are not judged by mere inches ”

“ She is a star of the first magnitude, sir, in the great world of fashion. She—she married well"—the Heavy 'Un adjusted his collar, and coughed—"and she has a wish that I should visit her in—in the halls of splendour, so to speak. In a word, Gibby," added Mr. Suker, becoming suddenly confidential, and taking Mr. Chumley by the lappel of the coat—"in a word, she would have me jump from four-half in pewter to champagne in clinking glasses."
"Well, Buck, my boy," replied Mr. Chumley, with a chuckle, "I think I should jump."
Mr. Buckstone Suker shook his head. ”

“ Beautiful as my life now is, dear Daddy—beautiful as it has always been, through your goodness to me—it is not quite complete, while I know that you are far away, and poor, and working hard; it does not seem fair. Jack will do anything for me, I know, and will be only too glad to welcome you. At present, he does not even know that I have a father—the best in all the world—living ”

“ Having been used all his life to taking things, which other men would have regarded as serious, in a mere haphazard fashion, it never occurred to the Heavy 'Un to make any arrangements for his daughter's future, after her school days should, in the ordinary process of time, have come to an end. ”

“ Jack is the best fellow in the world, and would welcome you, I am sure, even if you came out of a caravan, just for my sake."
The Heavy 'Un shook his head. "My child, my little Lucy, no—a thousand times no. We must—dissemble. Let me be what you will: ancient but faithful servitor, who once saved your father's life, or, in times of distress, pawned the family treasure to keep up appearances; or an old family solicitor, fond of a glass of old crusted—methinks I see myself in that part, my child ”

“ Long-lost relatives are necessary evils, and can be got rid of; old family solicitors go back from whence they came, or are shot by the French governess, or die, to haunt the Blue Chamber. But a parent, especially a father, sticks—sticks like wax, my child ”

“ Suker, as has been said, lacked inches. "Wot neem?" he asked at last.
"You needn't announce me, fellow," replied Mr Buckstone Suker, impressively. "Merely say that—that a gentleman waits here, and would be glad of a word with your mistress—alone." He spoke the last word in the most sepulchral tone at his command.
The footman—really rather a worthy young man—fell back a pace; the Heavy 'Un, seizing the opportunity, advanced into the hall, and looked about him critically. At the same moment a door opened, and his daughter came out, on her way to another room. ”

“ He had got down very low indeed, and was absolutely in want of food, when he heard of a possible engagement with a travelling circus company, and—swallowing what small pride was left in him—went to see its proprietor. The man proved to be a keen, vulgar, but good-natured fellow, with a dark eye cocked adroitly for the main chance.
"We does the country towns an' fairs," he explained; "an' we plays in a tent, an' 'ires a field w'en we wants one. ”