Charles Dickens

Holiday Romance Charles Dickens

THIS beginning-part is not made out of anybody's head, you know. It's real. You must believe thisbeginning-part more than what comes after, else you won't understand how what comes after cameto be written. You must believe it all; but you must believe this most, please. I am the editor ofit. Bob Redforth (he's my cousin, and shaking the table on purpose) wanted to be the editor of it;but I said he shouldn't because he couldn't. He has no idea of being an editor. Nettie Ashford is my bride. We were married in the right-hand closet in the corner of the dancingschool, where first we met, with a ring (a green one) from Wilkingwater's toy-shop. I owed for itout of my pocket-money. When the rapturous ceremony was over, we all four went up the lane andlet off a cannon (brought loaded in Bob Redforth's waistcoat-pocket) to announce our nuptials. Itflew right up when it went off, and turned over. Next day, Lieut.-Col. Robin Redforth was united, with similar ceremonies, to Alice Rainbird. This time the cannon burst with a most terrificexplosion, and made a puppy bark