In fact, this could not be accomplished without at the
same time tearing off a portion from the dingy papering of the room, and
leaving a disagreeable void, instead of my sprawling performance. With
the less evil it appeared each succeeding occupant had been contented;
and the drawing had stood its ground in spite of dust and dilapidation.
I felt wishful for the possession of so valuable a memorial of past
exploits. I examined it again and again, but not a single corner
betrayed symptoms of lesion: it stuck bolt upright; and the dun squat
figures portrayed on it appeared to leer at me most provokingly. Not a
slip or tear presented itself as vantage-ground for the projected
attack; and I had no other resource left of gaining possession than what
may be denominated the Caesarean mode. I accordingly took out my knife,
and commenced operations by cutting out at the same time a portion of
the ornamental papering from the wall commensurate with the picture. I
looked upon it with a sort of superstitious reverence; and I have always
thought that the strong and eager impulse I felt for the possession of
this hideous daub proceeded from a far different source than mere
fondness for the memorials of childhood.
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