| 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
|
straw in his mouth issuing out of the tobacco-shop, from which
appearance he augured that another fine week for the ducks was
approaching, and that rain would certainly ensue. He furthermore
took occasion to apologize for any negligence that might be perceptible
in his dress, on the ground that last night he had had 'the sun very
strong in his eyes'; by which expression he was understood to convey
to his hearers in the most delicate manner possible, the information
that he had been extremely drunk.
'
But what,' said Mr Swiveller with a sigh, 'what is the odds so long as
the fire of soul is kindled at the taper of conwiviality, and the wing of
friendship never moults a feather! What is the odds so long as the
spirit is expanded by means of rosy wine, and the present moment is
the least happiest of our existence!'
'You needn't act the chairman here,' said his friend, half aside.
'
Fred!' cried Mr Swiveller, tapping his nose, 'a word to the wise is
sufficient for them - we may be good and happy without riches, Fred.
Say not another syllable. I know my cue; smart is the word. Only one
little whisper, Fred - is the old min friendly?'
'Never you mind,' repled his friend.
'
Right again, quite right,' said Mr Swiveller, 'caution is the word, and
caution is the act.' with that, he winked as if in preservation of some
deep secret, and folding his arms and leaning back in his chair,
looked up at the ceiling with profound gravity.
It was perhaps not very unreasonable to suspect from what had
already passed, that Mr Swiveller was not quite recovered from the
effects of the powerful sunlight to which he had made allusion; but if
no such suspicion had been awakened by his speech, his wiry hair,
dull eyes, and sallow face would still have been strong witnesses
against him. His attire was not, as he had himself hinted, remarkable
for the nicest arrangement, but was in a state of disorder which
strongly induced the idea that he had gone to bed in it. It consisted of
a brown body-coat with a great many brass buttons up the front and
only one behind, a bright check neckerchief, a plaid waistcoat, soiled
white trousers, and a very limp hat, worn with the wrong side
foremost, to hide a hole in the brim. The breast of his coat was
ornamented with an outside pocket from which there peeped forth the
cleanest end of a very large and very ill-favoured handkerchief; his
dirty wristbands were pulled on as far as possible and ostentatiously
folded back over his cuffs; he displayed no gloves, and carried a yellow
cane having at the top a bone hand with the semblance of a ring on its
little finger and a black ball in its grasp. With all these personal
advantages (to which may be added a strong savour of tobacco-smoke,
Page
Quick Jump
|