"Eat a bit fust," said Uncle Pentstemon, speaking with his mouth full,

amidst murmurs of applause. "Eat a bit fust."

So they did, and the plates clattered and the glasses chinked.

Mr. Polly stood shoulder to shoulder with Johnson for a moment.

In for it," said Mr. Polly cheeringly. "Cheer up, O' Man, and peck a

bit. No reason why you shouldn't eat, you know."

The Punt boy stood on Mr. Polly's boots for a minute, struggling

violently against the compunction of Mrs. Punt's grip.

"Pie," said the Punt boy, "Pie!"

You sit 'ere and 'ave 'am, my lord!" said Mrs. Punt, prevailing.

Pie you can't 'ave and you won't."

"Lor bless my heart, Mrs. Punt!" protested Mr. Voules, "let the boy

'ave a bit if he wants it--wedding and all!"

"You 'aven't 'ad 'im sick on your 'ands, Uncle Voules," said Mrs.

Punt. "Else you wouldn't want to humour his fancies as you do...."

"I can't help feeling it's a mistake, O' Man," said Johnson, in a

174

The History of Mr Polly