"Your mistress told us we should find you here," said Stephen,
"and that you wished to see us.
"Plenty to tell you," said their host putting his finger to
his nose. "If information is wanted in this part of the
world, I flatter myself--Come, Master Gerard, here's a table;
what shall I call for? glass of the Mowbray slap-bang? No
better; the receipt has been in our family these fifty years.
Mr Morley I know won't join us. Did you say a cup of tea, Mr
Morley? Water, only water; well, that's strange. Boy alive
there, do you hear me call? Water wanted, glass of water for
the Secretary of the Mowbray Temperance and Teatotal. Sing it
out. I like titled company. Brush!"
"And so you can give us some information about this--"
"Be back directly." exclaimed their host: and darting off
with a swift precision, that carried him through a labyrinth
of tables without the slightest inconvenience to their
occupiers. "Beg pardon, Mr Morley," he said, sliding again
into his chair; "but saw one of the American gentlemen
brandishing his bowie-knife against one of my waiters; called
him Colonel; quieted him directly; a man of his rank brawling
with a help; oh! no; not to be thought of; no squabbling here;
licence in danger.
Pages:
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176