"Hand it here, I command you, madam!" cried the professor, trying to
compose himself and recover his dignity.
"Command away--I like to hear you. Command a regiment, if you like!"
said the elf.
"Give it up!" thundered the professor, losing his slight hold upon
self-control.
"Couldn't do it, sir," said Jacko, gravely.
"It is an appointment, you impudent ----! Hand it here."
"Not as you know of!" laughed Jacko, tauntingly shaking it over her
head.
He made a rush to catch it.
She sprang nimbly away, and clapped the paper into her mouth.
He overtook and caught her by the arm, and shaking her roughly,
exclaimed, under his breath:
"Where is it? What have you done with it? You exasperating, unprincipled
little wretch, where is it?"
"'Echo anfers fere?'" mumbled the imp, chewing up the paper, and keeping
her lips tight.
"Give it me! give it me! or I'll be the death of you, you diabolical
little ----!" he exclaimed, hoarsely, shaking her as if he would have
shaken her breath out.
But Jacko had finished chewing up the paper, and she swallowed the pulp
with an effort that nearly choked her, and then opening her mouth, and
inflating her chest, gave voice in a succession of piercing shrieks,
that brought the whole family rushing into the room, and obliged the
professor to relax his hold, and stand like a detected culprit.
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