Free The Measure of Temperance (The Adventures of Ichabod Temperance Book 6) by Ichabod Temperance Page A

me rag-muffin. Wot’s your name, wittle fella.”
    “Ichabod.”
    “Ha, ha! Ichabod! Oye nevuh knew no Ichabod a’fore. A few itchy bodies maybe, but not a true life Ichabod.”
    “Yes, Ma’am, that’s me. What’s your name?”
    “Me? Woi, me name’s Mirabella Froust, it is, but seein’s ’ow Oye likes ewe so much Icksi, Oye’m gonna let you use me pet name.”
    “Waz zat, Ma’am?”
    “Mimi!”
    “Mimi’s a real nice name, Ma’am. It’s kinda friendly and flouncy, like you, Ma’am.”
    “Ha, ha! That’s Mimi! Come on, Icksi, don’t be stingy, pours me another dwink!”
     

Chapter Eleven:
Torn Asunder
    P.O.V. Miss Persephone Plumtartt
     
    “You must admit, Persephone, that our prey has not been difficult to track.”
    “I readily concede that point, Kit.” I answer my charming companion. “From the particularly destructive disaster at the train yards we found upon our arrival, to this unbroken trail of broken city and upturned properties leading to the seaside, our quarry has been kind enough to not be sneaky.”
    “That is where our good fortune has run out, my lady. We have had many first hand witness accounts of the dangerous mobbe of peoples that this fellow Sku Le’Bizarre affects to maintain about his person.”
    “We have even heard descriptions of energetic combat by two slightly built gentlemen that no doubt respectively represent our own Mr. Temperance and Officer O’Hagan.”
    “I agree, Persephone. I have constantly kept a weather eye open for the feisty duo but have yet to set sight upon them, curse the luck.”
    “We shall make inquiries as to any news of our lost friends, Kit.”
    “Capital plan, Persephone. Where to begin? Ah, yes, let us start with this young woman with the bag of sticks under her arm. I say, she is a looker. The corseted saloon girl party dress she wears is filled out in a most pleasing fashion.”
    “I do not believe I have ever seen a ‘Gibson Girl’ hairdo built to such extraordinary proportions before. And that cannot be a natural shade of red in her hair, I am positive of that.”
    “Do you care for the ruffly petticoats that show from the waist high slit that runs up her left thigh? I confess Persephone, there is an alluring attractiveness to this skirt style that I cannot deny.”
    “Eh, hem, yes, quite, I say, if you say so, Kit.”
    “I say, Persephone. As to that bag of sticks tucked under her arm, does it appear to be wearing a familiar, black derby hat?”
    “Why yes, Kit. Furthermore, I believe I recognize that hat! My word! Yes! I should say so!”
    “Wot you looking at lady? If ya got ’em, flaunt ’em, ’at’s wot Oye says.”
    “I beg your pardon, Madame, it was not your ‘décolletage’ I was admiring. As it is, I was in search of that little chap in your possession.”
    “Wot?! Dis one’s mine, dearie. Oye landed ’im fair an’ square. Ain’t dis ’ere tall dark an’ droolly gentleman here your date? Oh, Oye gets it. ’e’s the fella wot you works for in this profession. Not me, honey. Oye’m an independent, sees?”
    “I say, my word, rather, not, I should say. We do not, my good woman, share your profession. I say, my word.”
    “Look there, Persephone, Temperance looks as if he may be regaining a small measure of consciousness.”
    “Uhhh, hunhhhh...???”
    “Ah, Mr. Temperance? Are you back there behind those red, vacant, glassy eyes that blink with limited comprehension?”
    “Uhhhh, Miss … Plumtartt...???”
    “Why yes, it is I, Persephone Plumtartt, along with the sober and dashing Kit Eppington. We are familiar with your features, Mr. Temperance, but we would be ever so grateful for an introduction to your charming friend whose red dyed feather dress trimmings are little camouflage for you to hide in.”
    “Uhhh, you mean Mimi?”
    “ OH! It’s Mimi , is it? I say, it is ever so charming to make your acquaintance, … Mimi! ”
    “You holds on roight there Little Miss Snot-Nose! Oye’m Mimi