There's the pony, sir,' said Kit - 'Whisker, ma'am (and he knows so

well I'm talking about him that he begins to neigh directly, Sir) - would

he let anybody come near him but me, ma'am? Here's the garden, sir,

and Mr Abel, ma'am. Would Mr Abel part with me, Sir, or is there

anybody that could be fonder of the garden, ma'am? It would break

mother's heart, Sir, and even little Jacob would have sense enough to

cry his eyes out, ma'am, if he thought that Mr Abel could wish to part

with me so soon, after having told me, only the other day, that he

hoped we might be together for years to come - '

There is no telling how long Kit might have stood upon the ladder,

addressing his master and mistress by turns, and generally turning

towards the wrong person, if Barbara had not at that moment come

running up to say that a messenger from the office had brought a

note, which, with an expression of some surprise at Kit's oratorical

appearance, she put into her master's hand.

Oh!' said the old gentleman after reading it, 'ask the messenger to

walk this way.' Barbara tripping off to do as she was bid, he turned to

Kit and said that they would not pursue the subject any further, and

that Kit could not be more unwilling to part with them, than they

would be to part with Kit; a sentiment which the old lady very

generously echoed.

At the same time, Christopher,' added Mr Garland, glancing at the

note in his hand, 'if the gentleman should want to borrow you now

and then for an hour or so, or even a day or so, at a time, we must

consent to lend you, and you must consent to be lent. - Oh! here is

the young gentleman. How do you do, Sir?'

This salutation was addressed to Mr Chuckster, who, with his hat

extremely on one side, and his hair a long way beyond it, came

swaggering up the walk.

'Hope I see you well sir,' returned that gentleman. 'Hope I see YOU

well, ma'am. Charming box' this, sir. Delicious country to be sure.'

You want to take Kit back with you, I find?' observed Mr Garland.

I have got a chariot-cab waiting on purpose,' replied the clerk. 'A very

spanking grey in that cab, sir, if you're a judge of horse-flesh.'

Declining to inspect the spanking grey, on the plea that he was but

poorly acquainted with such matters, and would but imperfectly

appreciate his beauties, Mr Garland invited Mr Chuckster to partake

of a slight repast in the way of lunch. That gentleman readily

consenting, certain cold viands, flanked with ale and wine, were

speedily prepared for his refreshment.

The Old Curiosity Shop