Peter Binney

by Archibald Marshall

I'll do it to-day," said Peter Binney. He had been sitting deep in thought ever since he had climbed on to the omnibus outside his place of business in the Whitechapel Road. As the vehicle pursued its ponderous way through the crowded streets of the City, stopping now and again to add to its load of homeward-bound business men, Mr. Binney sat in his seat, silent and preoccupied, his eyes on the ground and a thoughtful frown on his face. As it left the Post Office, full inside and out, and bowled smartly along the broad asphalted road towards the Viaduct, his face cleared, the light of determination shone in his eye, and looking up, he said aloud: - "I'll do it to-day." His fellow passengers gazed at him in surprise, and a young lady who sat by his side, heavily fringed and feathered, and laden with a huge cardboard box, laughed a coarse laugh, and said: "That's right, guv'nor, don't you put it off no longer.

102 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1899

About the author

Arthur Hammond Marshall (6 September 1866 – 29 September 1934), better known by his pen name Archibald Marshall, was an English author, publisher and journalist whose novels were particularly popular in the United States. He published over 50 books and was recognized as a realist in his writing style, and was considered by some as a successor to Anthony Trollope. Educated at Cambridge University, he was later (in 1921) made an honorary Doctor of Letters by Yale University. He travelled widely and made numerous notable acquaintances.