The narrator recalls his childhood. He has lived with his mother, Peggotty the only maid of his house, his stern stepfather Mr. Murdstone, and Mr. Mudstone's eccentric elder sister in his late father's house in Blunderstone. He was going to a boarding school near London on a cart, now arrived the way point Yarmouth. And he is having lunch at a restaurant, when after pouring his ail into a tumbler, a waiter talks to him.
.................... "There was a gentleman here yesterday," he said?"a stout gentleman, by the name of Topsawyer?perhaps you know him?" "No," I said, "I don't think??" "In breeches and gaiters, broad-brimmed hat, grey coat, speckled choker," said the waiter. "No," I said bashfully, "I haven't the pleasure??" "He came here," said the waiter, looking at the light through the tumbler, "ordered a glass of this ale??would order it??I told him not??drank it, and fell dead. It was too old for him. It oughtn't to be drawn; that's the fact." I was very much shocked to hear of this melancholy accident, and said I thought I had better have some water. [David Copperfield by Charles Dickens] 1. I'd like to know what "would order it" means here. 2. I'd like to know what "it was too old for him." means here. 3. And I'd like to know what "it oughtn't to be drawn." means. Thank you in advance for your help.
Top answer
1. "would order it" = insisted on ordering it 2. org/wiki/Old_ale 3.
— GPY
1.
"would order it" = insisted on ordering it 2.
org/wiki/Old_ale 3.
"drawn" = pumped out of the cask/barrel (in order to be then poured into a glass and drunk).
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