Grace
presided; but so discreetly stationed herself, as to cut off her
sister and Alfred from the rest of the company. Snitchey and
Craggs sat at opposite corners, with the blue bag between them for
safety; the Doctor took his usual position, opposite to Grace.
Clemency hovered galvanically about the table, as waitress; and the
melancholy Britain, at another and a smaller board, acted as Grand
Carver of a round of beef and a ham.
'Meat?' said Britain, approaching Mr. Snitchey, with the carving
knife and fork in his hands, and throwing the question at him like
a missile.
'Certainly,' returned the lawyer.
'Do YOU want any?' to Craggs.
'Lean and well done,' replied that gentleman.
Having executed these orders, and moderately supplied the Doctor
(he seemed to know that nobody else wanted anything to eat), he
lingered as near the Firm as he decently could, watching with an
austere eye their disposition of the viands, and but once relaxing
the severe expression of his face. This was on the occasion of Mr.
Craggs, whose teeth were not of the best, partially choking, when
he cried out with great animation, 'I thought he was gone!'
'Now, Alfred,' said the Doctor, 'for a word or two of business,
while we are yet at breakfast.'
'While we are yet at breakfast,' said Snitchey and Craggs, who
seemed to have no present idea of leaving off.
Pages:
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37