The Mouse in the Mountain

Book Excerpt: his trip just a rumor?" "Here he comes," said Janet. Bartolome trotted down the terrace steps and leaned in the door. "Starting instantly in a few moments. Have the kindness of patience in waiting for the more important passengers." "Who are they?" Henshaw demanded, interested. "The lady of incredible richness with the name of Patricia Van Osdel and her parasites." "No fooling!" Henshaw exclaimed. "You hear that, Doan? Patricia Van Osdel. She's the flypaper queen. Her old...
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Book Excerpt: his trip just a rumor?" "Here he comes," said Janet. Bartolome trotted down the terrace steps and leaned in the door. "Starting instantly in a few moments. Have the kindness of patience in waiting for the more important passengers." "Who are they?" Henshaw demanded, interested. "The lady of incredible richness with the name of Patricia Van Osdel and her parasites." "No fooling!" Henshaw exclaimed. "You hear that, Doan? Patricia Van Osdel. She's the flypaper queen. Her old man invented stickum that flies like the taste of, and he made fifty billion dollars out of it" "Is she married?" Mrs. Henshaw asked suspiciously. "That is a vulgarness to which she would not stoop," said Bartolome. "She has a gigolo. They come! Prepare yourselves!" A short, elderly lady as thin as a pencil, dressed all in black that wrinkled and rustled and glistened in the sun, came out on the terrace and down the steps. She had a long, sallow face with a black wart on one cheek and t Read More