Friday, March 05, 2021

Indispensible smart-aleck

     From the suede shoes on his large, flat feet to the jaunty hat on his pumpkin-shaped head, Howard Steptoe was correct in every detail. Birds twittered in admiration of his quiet grey suit, bees drew in their breath sharply as they eyed that faultless shirt, bettles directed one another's attentin to the garenia in the buttonhole. And Mrs. Steptoe who had been expecting something that looked like a tramp cyclist, revised her views about dispensing with Joss's services. He might be a criminal, and as fresh a criminal as ever wisecracked with one hand while pocketing the spoons with the other, but to a man who could turn Howard Steptoe out like that all must be forgiven.

(from Quick Service, by Sir Pelham Wodehouse)

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