The subject of conversation, which, in all this time,
accompanied their other indulgences, was, very naturally, that of the
pedler and his punishment. On this topic, however, a professional not
less than personal policy sealed the lips of our lawyer except on those
points which admitted of a general remark, without application or even
meaning. Though drunk, his policy was that of the courts; and the
practice of the sessions had served him well, in his own person, to give
the lie to the "_in vino veritas_" of the proverb.
Things were in this condition when the company found increase in the
person of the landlord, who now made his appearance; and, as we intend
that he shall be no unimportant auxiliary in the action of our story, it
may be prudent for a few moments to dwell upon the details of his
outward man, and severally to describe his features. We have him before
us in that large, dark, and somewhat heavy person, who sidles awkwardly
into the apartment, as if only conscious in part of the true uses of his
legs and arms.
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