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were warming behind the fender; and the guests themselves were
warming before it: the chief and most important of whom appeared to
be a stoutish gentleman in a bright crimson coat with long tails,
vividly red breeches, and a cocked hat, who was standing with his
back to the fire, and had apparently just entered, for besides retaining
his cocked hat on his head, he carried in his hand a high stick, such
as gentlemen of his profession usually elevate in a sloping position
over the roofs of carriages.
'Smauker, my lad, your fin,' said the gentleman with the cocked hat.
Mr Smauker dovetailed the top joint of his right-hand little finger into
that of the gentleman with the cocked hat, and said he was charmed
to see him looking so well.
'
Well, they tell me I am looking pretty blooming,' said the man with the
cocked hat, 'and it's a wonder, too. I've been following our old woman
about, two hours a day, for the last fortnight; and if a constant
contemplation of the manner in which she hooks-and-eyes that
infernal lavender- coloured old gown of hers behind, isn't enough to
throw anybody into a low state of despondency for life, stop my
quarter's salary.'
At this, the assembled selections laughed very heartily; and one
gentleman in a yellow waistcoat, with a coach-trimming border,
whispered a neighbour in green-foil smalls, that Tuckle was in spirits
to-night.
'
By the bye,' said Mr Tuckle, 'Smauker, my boy, you - ' The remainder
of the sentence was forwarded into Mr John Smauker's ear, by
whisper.
'Oh, dear me, I quite forgot,' said Mr John Smauker. 'Gentlemen, my
friend Mr Weller.'
'Sorry to keep the fire off you, Weller,' said Mr Tuckle, with a familiar
nod. 'Hope you're not cold, Weller.'
'
Not by no means, Blazes,' replied Sam. 'It 'ud be a wery chilly subject
as felt cold wen you stood opposite. You'd save coals if they put you
behind the fender in the waitin'-room at a public office, you would.'
As this retort appeared to convey rather a personal allusion to Mr
Tuckle's crimson livery, that gentleman looked majestic for a few
seconds, but gradually edging away from the fire, broke into a forced
smile, and said it wasn't bad.
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