|
||||||||
Hows Dick? retorted Quilp. Hows the cream of clerkship, eh? Why, rather sour, Sir, replied Mr Swiveller. Beginning to border upon cheesiness, in fact. Whats the matter? said the dwarf, advancing. Has Sally proved unkind. Of all the girls that are so smart, theres none like eh, Dick! Certainly not, replied Mr Swiveller, eating his dinner with great gravity, none like her. Shes the sphynx of private life is Sally B. Youre out of spirits, said Quilp, drawing up a chair. Whats the matter? The law dont agree with me, returned Dick. It isnt moist enough, and theres too much confinement. I have been thinking of running away. Bah! said the dwarf. Where would you run to, Dick? I dont know returned Mr Swiveller. Towards Highgate, I suppose. Perhaps the bells might strike up Turn again Swiveller, Lord Mayor of London. Whittingtons name was Dick. I wish cats were scarcer. Quilp looked at his companion with his eyes screwed up into a comical expression of curiosity, and patiently awaited his further explanation; upon which, however, Mr Swiveller appeared in no hurry to enter, as he ate a very long dinner in profound silence, finally pushed away his plate, threw himself back into his chair, folded his arms, and stared ruefully at the fire, in which some ends of cigars were smoking on their own account, and sending up a fragrant odour. Perhaps youd like a bit of cake said Dick, at last turning to the dwarf. Youre quite welcome to it. You ought to be, for its of your making. What do you mean? said Quilp. Mr Swiveller replied by taking from his pocket a small and very greasy parcel, slowly unfolding it, and displaying a little slab of plum-cake extremely indigestible in appearance, and bordered with a paste of white sugar an inch and a half deep. What should you say this was? demanded Mr Swiveller. It looks like bride-cake, replied the dwarf, grinning. And whose should you say it was? inquired Mr Swiveller, rubbing the pastry against his nose with a dreadful calmness. Whose? Not Yes, said Dick, the same. You neednt mention her name. Theres no such name now. Her name is Cheggs now, Sophy Cheggs. Yet loved I as man never loved that hadnt wooden legs, and my heart, my heart is breaking for the love of Sophy Cheggs. With this extemporary adaptation of a popular ballad to the distressing circumstances of his own case, Mr Swiveller folded up the parcel again, beat it very flat between the palms of his hands, thrust it into his breast, buttoned his coat over it, and folded his arms upon the whole. Now, I hope youre satisfied, Sir, said Dick; and I hope Freds satisfied. You went partners in the mischief, and I hope you like it. This is the triumph I was to have, is it? Its like the old country-dance of that name, where there are two gentlemen to one lady, and one has her, and the other hasnt, but comes limping up behind to make out the figure. But its destiny, and mines a crusher! |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd, and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission. See our FAQ for more details. | ||||||||