very tidy and careful manner, seemed to imply that the red-nosed

man, whoever he was, had no intention of going away in a hurry.

To do the red-nosed man justice, he would have been very far from

wise if he had entertained any such intention; for, to judge from all

appearances, he must have been possessed of a most desirable circle

of acquaintance, if he could have reasonably expected to be more

comfortable anywhere else. The fire was blazing brightly under the

influence of the bellows, and the kettle was singing gaily under the

influence of both. A small tray of tea-things was arranged on the table;

a plate of hot buttered toast was gently simmering before the fire; and

the red-nosed man himself was busily engaged in converting a large

slice of bread into the same agreeable edible, through the

instrumentality of a long brass toasting-fork. Beside him stood a glass

of reeking hot pine-apple rum-and-water, with a slice of lemon in it;

and every time the red-nosed man stopped to bring the round of toast

to his eye, with the view of ascertaining how it got on, he imbibed a

drop or two of the hot pine-apple rum-and-water, and smiled upon the

rather stout lady, as she blew the fire.

Sam was so lost in the contemplation of this comfortable scene, that

he suffered the first inquiry of the rather stout lady to pass unheeded.

It was not until it had been twice repeated, each time in a shriller

tone, that he became conscious of the impropriety of his behaviour.

Governor in?' inquired Sam, in reply to the question.

No, he isn't,' replied Mrs. Weller; for the rather stout lady was no

other than the quondam relict and sole executrix of the dead-and-

gone Mr Clarke; 'no, he isn't, and I don't expect him, either.'

I suppose he's drivin' up to-day?' said Sam.

He may be, or he may not,' replied Mrs. Weller, buttering the round of

toast which the red-nosed man had just finished. 'I don't know, and,

what's more, I don't care. - Ask a blessin', Mr Stiggins.'

The red-nosed man did as he was desired, and instantly commenced

on the toast with fierce voracity.

The appearance of the red-nosed man had induced Sam, at first sight,

to more than half suspect that he was the deputy- shepherd of whom

his estimable parent had spoken. The moment he saw him eat, all

doubt on the subject was removed, and he perceived at once that if he

purposed to take up his temporary quarters where he was, he must

make his footing good without delay. He therefore commenced

proceedings by putting his arm over the half-door of the bar, coolly

unbolting it, and leisurely walking in.

The Pickwick Papers