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| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
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Chapter VIII
Business disposed of, Mr Swiveller was inwardly reminded of its being
nigh dinner-time, and to the intent that his health might not be
endangered by longer abstinence, dispached a message to the nearest
eating-house requiring an immediate supply of boiled beef and greens
for two. With this demand, however, the eating-house (having
experience of its customer) declined to comply, churlishly sending
back for answer that if Mr Swiveller stood in need of beef perhaps he
would be so obliging as to come there and eat it, bringing with him, as
grace before meat, the amount of a certin small account which had
long been outstanding. Not at all intimidated by this rebuff, but rather
sharpened in wits and appetite, Mr Swiveller forwarded the same
message to another and more distant eating-house, adding to it by
way of rider that the gentleman was induced to send so far, not only
by the great fame and popularity its beef had acquired, but in
consequence of the extreme toughness of the beef retailed at the
obdurant cook's shop, which rendered it quite unfit not merely for
gentlemanly food, but for any human consumption. The good effect of
this politic course was demonstrated by the speedy arrive of a small
pewter pyramid, curously constructed of platters and covers, whereof
the boiled-beef-plates formed the base, and a foaming quart-pot the
apex; the structure being resolved into its component parts afforded
all things requisite and necessary for a hearty meal, to which Mr
Swiveller and his friend applied themselves with great keenness and
enjoyment.
'
May the present moment,' said Dick, sticking his fork into a large
carbuncular potato, 'be the worst of our lives! I like the plan of
sending 'em with the peel on; there's a charm in drawing a poato from
its native element (if I may so express it) to which the rich and
powerful are strangers. Ah! 'Man wants but little here below, nor
wants that little long!' How true that it! - after dinner.'
'I hope the eating-house keeper will want but little and that he may
not want that little long,' returned his companion; but I suspect you've
no means of paying for this!'
'
I shall be passing present, and I'll call,' said Dick, winking his eye
significantly. 'The waiter's quite helpless. The goods are gone, Fred,
and there's an end of it.'
In point of fact, it would seem that the waiter felt this wholesome
truth, for when he returned for the empty plates and dishes and was
informed by Mr Swiveller with dignified carelessness that he would
call and setle when he should be passing presently, he displayed some
pertubation of spirit and muttered a few remarks about 'payment on
delivery' and 'no trust,' and other unpleasant subjects, but was fain to
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