| 396 | 397 | 398 | 399 | 400 |
| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
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Mr Chuckster being roused, would probably have pursued this subject
further, and in more emphatic language, but for a tap at the door,
which seeming to announce the arrival of somebody on business,
caused him to assume a greater appearance of meekness than was
perhaps quite consistent with his late declaration. Mr Swiveller,
hearing the same sound, caused his stool to revolve rapidly on one leg
until it brought him to his desk, into which, having forgotten in the
sudden flurry of his spirits to part with the poker, he thrust it as he
cried 'Come in!'
Who should present himself but that very Kit who had been the theme
of Mr Chuckster's wrath! Never did man pluck up his courage so
quickly, or look so fierce, as Mr Chuckster when he found it was he.
Mr Swiveller stared at him for a moment, and then leaping from his
stool, and drawing out the poker from its place of concealment,
performed the broad-sword exercise with all the cuts and guards
complete, in a species of frenzy.
'Is the gentleman at home?' said Kit, rather astonished by this
uncommon reception.
Before Mr Swiveller could make any reply, Mr Chuckster took
occasion to enter his indignant protest against this form of inquiry;
which he held to be of a disrespectful and snobbish tendency,
inasmuch as the inquirer, seeing two gentlemen then and there
present, should have spoken of the other gentleman; or rather (for it
was not impossible that the object of his search might be of inferior
quality) should have mentioned his name, leaving it to his hearers to
determine his degree as they thought proper. Mr Chuckster likewise
remarked, that he had some reason to believe this form of address
was personal to himself, and that he was not a man to be trifled with -
as certain snobs (whom he did not more particularly mention or
describe) might find to their cost.
'
I mean the gentleman up-stairs,' said Kit, turning to Richard
Swiveller. 'Is he at home?'
'
'
'
'
'
Why?' rejoined Dick.
Because if he is, I have a letter for him.'
From whom?' said Dick.
From Mr Garland.'
Oh!' said Dick, with extreme politeness. 'Then you may hand it over,
Sir. And if you're to wait for an answer, Sir, you may wait in the
passage, Sir, which is an airy and well-ventilated apartment, sir.'
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