English
Cuff’sfightwithDobbin,andtheunexpectedissueofthatcontest,willlongberememberedbyeverymanwhowaseducatedatDr.Swishtail’sfamousschool.
ThelatterYouth(whousedtobecalledHeigh-hoDobbin,Gee-hoDobbin,andbymanyothernamesindicativeofpuerilecontempt)wasthequietest,theclumsiest,and,asitseemed,thedullestofallDr.Swishtail’syounggentlemen.
Hisparentwasagrocerinthecity:anditwasbruitedabroadthathewasadmittedintoDr.Swishtail’sacademyuponwhatarecalled“mutualprinciples”—thatistosay,theexpensesofhisboardandschoolingweredefrayedbyhisfatheringoods,notmoney;andhestoodthere—mostatthebottomoftheschool—inhisscraggycorduroysandjacket,throughtheseamsofwhichhisgreatbigboneswerebursting—astherepresentativeofsomanypoundsoftea,candles,sugar,mottled-soap,plums(ofwhichaverymildproportionwassuppliedforthepuddingsoftheestablishment),andothercommodities.
AdreadfuldayitwasforyoungDobbinwhenoneoftheyoungstersoftheschool,havingrunintothetownuponapoachingexcursionforhardbakeandpolonies,espiedthecartofDobbin&Rudge,GrocersandOilmen,ThamesStreet,London,attheDoctor’sdoor,dischargingacargoofthewaresinwhichthefirmdealt.
YoungDobbinhadnopeaceafterthat.Thejokeswerefrightful,andmercilessagainsthim.
“Hullo,Dobbin,”onewagwouldsay,“here’sgoodnewsinthepaper.Sugarsisris’,myboy.”
Anotherwouldsetasum—”Ifapoundofmutton-candlescostsevenpence-halfpenny,howmuchmustDobbincost?”
andaroarwouldfollowfromallthecircleofyoungknaves,usherandall,whorightlyconsideredthatthesellingofgoodsbyretailisashamefulandinfamouspractice,meritingthecontemptandscornofallrealgentlemen.
“Yourfather’sonlyamerchant,Osborne,”Dobbinsaidinprivatetothelittleboywhohadbroughtdownthestormuponhim.
Atwhichthelatterrepliedhaughtily,“Myfather’sagentleman,andkeepshiscarriage”;andMr.WilliamDobbinretreatedtoaremoteouthouseintheplayground,wherehepassedahalf-holidayinthebitterestsadnessandwoe.
Whoamongstusistherethatdoesnotrecollectsimilarhoursofbitter,bitterchildishgrief?
Whofeelsinjustice;whoshrinksbeforeaslight;whohasasenseofwrongsoacute,andsoglowingagratitudeforkindness,asagenerousboy?
andhowmanyofthosegentlesoulsdoyoudegrade,estrange,torture,forthesakeofalittleloosearithmetic,andmiserabledog-latin?
Now,WilliamDobbin,fromanincapacitytoacquiretherudimentsoftheabovelanguage,astheyarepropoundedinthatwonderfulbooktheEtonLatinGrammar,wascompelledtoremainamongtheverylastofDoctorSwishtail’sscholars,andwas“takendown”continuallybylittlefellowswithpinkfacesandpinaforeswhenhemarchedupwiththelowerform,agiantamongstthem,withhisdowncast,stupefiedlook,hisdog’s-earedprimer,andhistightcorduroys.
Highandlow,allmadefunofhim.
Theysewedupthosecorduroys,tightastheywere.Theycuthisbed-strings.
Theyupsetbucketsandbenches,sothathemightbreakhisshinsoverthem,whichheneverfailedtodo.
Theysenthimparcels,which,whenopened,werefoundtocontainthepaternalsoapandcandles.
TherewasnolittlefellowbuthadhisjeerandjokeatDobbin;andheboreeverythingquitepatiently,andwasentirelydumbandmiserable.
Cuff,onthecontrary,wasthegreatchiefanddandyoftheSwishtailSeminary.Hesmuggledwinein.Hefoughtthetown-boys.
PoniesusedtocomeforhimtoridehomeonSaturdays.
Hehadhistop-bootsinhisroom,inwhichheusedtohuntintheholidays.
Hehadagoldrepeater:andtooksnuffliketheDoctor.
HehadbeentotheOpera,andknewthemeritsoftheprincipalactors,preferringMr.KeantoMr.Kemble.
HecouldknockyouofffortyLatinversesinanhour.HecouldmakeFrenchpoetry.
Whatelsedidn’theknow,orcouldn’thedo?
TheysaideventheDoctorhimselfwasafraidofhim.
Cuff,theunquestionedkingoftheschool,ruledoverhissubjects,andbulliedthem,withsplendidsuperiority.
Thisoneblackedhisshoes:thattoastedhisbread,otherswouldfagout,andgivehimballsatcricketduringwholesummerafternoons.
“Figs”wasthefellowwhomhedespisedmost,andwithwhom,thoughalwaysabusinghim,andsneeringathim,hescarcelyevercondescendedtoholdpersonalcommunication.
Onedayinprivate,thetwoyounggentlemenhadhadadifference.
Figs,aloneintheschoolroom,wasblunderingoverahomeletter;whenCuff,entering,badehimgouponsomemessage,ofwhichtartswereprobablythesubject.
“Ican’t,”saysDobbin;“Iwanttofinishmyletter.”
“YouCAN’T?”saysMr.Cuff,layingholdofthatdocument(inwhichmanywordswerescratchedout,manyweremis-spelt,onwhichhadbeenspentIdon’tknowhowmuchthought,andlabour,andtears;forthepoorfellowwaswritingtohismother,whowasfondofhim,althoughshewasagrocer’swife,andlivedinabackparlourinThamesStreet).“YouCAN’T?”
saysMr.Cuff:“Ishouldliketoknowwhy,pray?
Can’tyouwritetooldMotherFigsto-morrow?”
“Don’tcallnames,”Dobbinsaid,gettingoffthebenchverynervous.
“Well,sir,willyougo?”crowedthecockoftheschool.
“Putdowntheletter,”Dobbinreplied;“nogentlemanreadthletterth.”
“Well,NOWwillyougo?”saystheother.
“No,Iwon’t.Don’tstrike,orI’llTHMASHyou,”roarsoutDobbin,springingtoaleadeninkstand,andlookingsowicked,thatMr.Cuffpaused,turneddownhiscoatsleevesagain,puthishandsintohispockets,andwalkedawaywithasneer.
Buthenevermeddledpersonallywiththegrocer’sboyafterthat;thoughwemustdohimthejusticetosayhealwaysspokeofMr.Dobbinwithcontemptbehindhisback.
Sometimeafterthisinterview,ithappenedthatMr.Cuff,onasunshinyafternoon,wasintheneighbourhoodofpoorWilliamDobbin,whowaslyingunderatreeintheplayground,spellingoverafavouritecopyoftheArabianNightswhichhehadapartfromtherestoftheschool,whowerepursuingtheirvarioussports—quitelonely,andalmosthappy.
Ifpeoplewouldbutleavechildrentothemselves;ifteacherswouldceasetobullythem;ifparentswouldnotinsistupondirectingtheirthoughts,anddominatingtheirfeelings—thosefeelingsandthoughtswhichareamysterytoall(forhowmuchdoyouandIknowofeachother,ofourchildren,ofourfathers,ofourneighbour,andhowfarmorebeautifulandsacredarethethoughtsofthepoorladorgirlwhomyougovernlikelytobe,thanthoseofthedullandworld-corruptedpersonwhoruleshim?)
—if,Isay,parentsandmasterswouldleavetheirchildrenalonealittlemore,smallharmwouldaccrue,althoughalessquantityofasinpraesentimightbeacquired.
Well,WilliamDobbinhadforonceforgottentheworld,andwasawaywithSindbadtheSailorintheValleyofDiamonds,orwithPrinceAhmedandtheFairyPeribanouinthatdelightfulcavernwherethePrincefoundher,andwhitherweshouldallliketomakeatour;whenshrillcries,asofalittlefellowweeping,wokeuphispleasantreverie;andlookingup,hesawCuffbeforehim,belabouringalittleboy.
Itwastheladwhohadpeacheduponhimaboutthegrocer’scart;butheborelittlemalice,notatleasttowardstheyoungandsmall.“Howdareyou,sir,breakthebottle?”
saysCufftothelittleurchin,swingingayellowcricket-stumpoverhim.
Theboyhadbeeninstructedtogetovertheplaygroundwall(ataselectedspotwherethebrokenglasshadbeenremovedfromthetop,andnichesmadeconvenientinthebrick);torunaquarterofamile;topurchaseapintofrum-shruboncredit;tobravealltheDoctor’soutlyingspies,andtoclamberbackintotheplaygroundagain;duringtheperformanceofwhichfeat,hisfoothadslipt,andthebottlewasbroken,andtheshrubhadbeenspilt,andhispantaloonshadbeendamaged,andheappearedbeforehisemployeraperfectlyguiltyandtrembling,thoughharmless,wretch.
“Howdareyou,sir,breakit?”saysCuff;“youblunderinglittlethief.Youdranktheshrub,andnowyoupretendtohavebrokenthebottle.Holdoutyourhand,sir.”
Downcamethestumpwithagreatheavythumponthechild’shand.Amoanfollowed.Dobbinlookedup.
TheFairyPeribanouhadfledintotheinmostcavernwithPrinceAhmed:theRochadwhiskedawaySindbadtheSailoroutoftheValleyofDiamondsoutofsight,farintotheclouds:andtherewaseverydaylifebeforehonestWilliam;andabigboybeatingalittleonewithoutcause.
“Holdoutyourotherhand,sir,”roarsCufftohislittleschoolfellow,whosefacewasdistortedwithpain.Dobbinquivered,andgatheredhimselfupinhisnarrowoldclothes.
“Takethat,youlittledevil!”criedMr.Cuff,anddowncamethewicketagainonthechild’shand.
—Don’tbehorrified,ladies,everyboyatapublicschoolhasdoneit.
Yourchildrenwillsodoandbedoneby,inallprobability.
Downcamethewicketagain;andDobbinstartedup.
Ican’ttellwhathismotivewas.TortureinapublicschoolisasmuchlicensedastheknoutinRussia.
Itwouldbeungentlemanlike(inamanner)toresistit.
PerhapsDobbin’sfoolishsoulrevoltedagainstthatexerciseoftyranny;orperhapshehadahankeringfeelingofrevengeinhismind,andlongedtomeasurehimselfagainstthatsplendidbullyandtyrant,whohadalltheglory,pride,pomp,circumstance,bannersflying,drumsbeating,guardssaluting,intheplace.
Whatevermayhavebeenhisincentive,however,uphesprang,andscreamedout,“Holdoff,Cuff;don’tbullythatchildanymore;orI’ll—”
“Oryou’llwhat?”Cuffaskedinamazementatthisinterruption.“Holdoutyourhand,youlittlebeast.”
“I’llgiveyoutheworstthrashingyoueverhadinyourlife,”Dobbinsaid,inreplytothefirstpartofCuff’ssentence;andlittleOsborne,gaspingandintears,lookedupwithwonderandincredulityatseeingthisamazingchampionputupsuddenlytodefendhim:whileCuff’sastonishmentwasscarcelyless.
FancyourlatemonarchGeorgeIIIwhenheheardoftherevoltoftheNorthAmericancolonies:fancybrazenGoliathwhenlittleDavidsteppedforwardandclaimedameeting;andyouhavethefeelingsofMr.ReginaldCuffwhenthisrencontrewasproposedtohim.
“Afterschool,”sayshe,ofcourse;afterapauseandalook,asmuchastosay,“Makeyourwill,andcommunicateyourlastwishestoyourfriendsbetweenthistimeandthat.”
“Asyouplease,”Dobbinsaid.“Youmustbemybottleholder,Osborne.”
“Well,ifyoulike,”littleOsbornereplied;foryouseehispapakeptacarriage,andhewasratherashamedofhischampion.
Yes,whenthehourofbattlecame,hewasalmostashamedtosay,“Goit,Figs”;andnotasingleotherboyintheplaceutteredthatcryforthefirsttwoorthreeroundsofthisfamouscombat;atthecommencementofwhichthescientificCuff,withacontemptuoussmileonhisface,andaslightandasgayasifhewasataball,plantedhisblowsuponhisadversary,andflooredthatunluckychampionthreetimesrunning.
Ateachfalltherewasacheer;andeverybodywasanxioustohavethehonourofofferingtheconqueroraknee.
“WhatalickingIshallgetwhenit’sover,”youngOsbornethought,pickinguphisman.
“You’dbestgivein,”hesaidtoDobbin;“it’sonlyathrashing,Figs,andyouknowI’musedtoit.”
ButFigs,allwhoselimbswereinaquiver,andwhosenostrilswerebreathingrage,puthislittlebottle-holderaside,andwentinforafourthtime.
Ashedidnotintheleastknowhowtoparrytheblowsthatwereaimedathimself,andCuffhadbeguntheattackonthethreeprecedingoccasions,withouteverallowinghisenemytostrike,Figsnowdeterminedthathewouldcommencetheengagementbyachargeonhisownpart;andaccordingly,beingaleft-handedman,broughtthatarmintoaction,andhitoutacoupleoftimeswithallhismight—onceatMr.Cuff’slefteye,andonceonhisbeautifulRomannose.
Cuffwentdownthistime,totheastonishmentoftheassembly.
“Wellhit,byJove,”sayslittleOsborne,withtheairofaconnoisseur,clappinghismanontheback.
“Giveithimwiththeleft,Figsmyboy.”
Figs’sleftmadeterrificplayduringalltherestofthecombat.Cuffwentdowneverytime.
Atthesixthround,therewerealmostasmanyfellowsshoutingout,“Goit,Figs,”astherewereyouthsexclaiming,“Goit,Cuff.”
Atthetwelfthroundthelatterchampionwasallabroad,asthesayingis,andhadlostallpresenceofmindandpowerofattackordefence.
Figs,onthecontrary,wasascalmasaquaker.
Hisfacebeingquitepale,hiseyesshiningopen,andagreatcutonhisunderlipbleedingprofusely,gavethisyoungfellowafierceandghastlyair,whichperhapsstruckterrorintomanyspectators.
Nevertheless,hisintrepidadversarypreparedtocloseforthethirteenthtime.
IfIhadthepenofaNapier,oraBell’sLife,Ishouldliketodescribethiscombatproperly.
ItwasthelastchargeoftheGuard—(thatis,itwouldhavebeen,onlyWaterloohadnotyettakenplace)—itwasNey’scolumnbreastingthehillofLaHayeSainte,bristlingwithtenthousandbayonets,andcrownedwithtwentyeagles—itwastheshoutofthebeef-eatingBritish,asleapingdownthehilltheyrushedtohugtheenemyinthesavagearmsofbattle—inotherwords,Cuffcomingupfullofpluck,butquitereelingandgroggy,theFig-merchantputinhisleftasusualonhisadversary’snose,andsenthimdownforthelasttime.
“Ithinkthatwilldoforhim,”Figssaid,ashisopponentdroppedasneatlyonthegreenasIhaveseenJackSpot’sballplumpintothepocketatbilliards;andthefactis,whentimewascalled,Mr.ReginaldCuffwasnotable,ordidnotchoose,tostandupagain.
AndnowalltheboyssetupsuchashoutforFigsaswouldhavemadeyouthinkhehadbeentheirdarlingchampionthroughthewholebattle;andasabsolutelybroughtDr.Swishtailoutofhisstudy,curioustoknowthecauseoftheuproar.
HethreatenedtoflogFigsviolently,ofcourse;butCuff,whohadcometohimselfbythistime,andwaswashinghiswounds,stoodupandsaid,“It’smyfault,sir—notFigs’—notDobbin’s.
Iwasbullyingalittleboy;andheservedmeright.”
Bywhichmagnanimousspeechhenotonlysavedhisconquerorawhipping,butgotbackallhisascendancyovertheboyswhichhisdefeathadnearlycosthim.
YoungOsbornewrotehometohisparentsanaccountofthetransaction.
SugarcaneHouse,Richmond,March,18—
DEARMAMA,—Ihopeyouarequitewell.Ishouldbemuchobligedtoyoutosendmeacakeandfiveshillings.
TherehasbeenafightherebetweenCuff&Dobbin.
Cuff,youknow,wastheCockoftheSchool.
Theyfoughtthirteenrounds,andDobbinLicked.SoCuffisnowOnlySecondCock.Thefightwasaboutme.
Cuffwaslickingmeforbreakingabottleofmilk,andFigswouldn’tstandit.
WecallhimFigsbecausehisfatherisaGrocer—Figs&Rudge,ThamesSt.,City—IthinkashefoughtformeyououghttobuyyourTea&Sugarathisfather’s.
CuffgoeshomeeverySaturday,butcan’tthis,becausehehas2BlackEyes.
HehasawhitePonytocomeandfetchhim,andagroominliveryonabaymare.
IwishmyPapawouldletmehaveaPony,andIam
YourdutifulSon,GEORGESEDLEYOSBORNEcardboard.Pleasenotaseed-cake,butaplum-cake.
P.S.—GivemylovetolittleEmmy.IamcuttingheroutaCoachin
InconsequenceofDobbin’svictory,hischaracterroseprodigiouslyintheestimationofallhisschoolfellows,andthenameofFigs,whichhadbeenabywordofreproach,becameasrespectableandpopularanicknameasanyotherinuseintheschool.
“Afterall,it’snothisfaultthathisfather’sagrocer,”GeorgeOsbornesaid,who,thoughalittlechap,hadaveryhighpopularityamongtheSwishtailyouth;andhisopinionwasreceivedwithgreatapplause.
ItwasvotedlowtosneeratDobbinaboutthisaccidentofbirth.
“OldFigs”grewtobeanameofkindnessandendearment;andthesneakofanusherjeeredathimnolonger.
AndDobbin’sspiritrosewithhisalteredcircumstances.
Hemadewonderfuladvancesinscholasticlearning.
ThesuperbCuffhimself,atwhosecondescensionDobbincouldonlyblushandwonder,helpedhimonwithhisLatinverses;“coached”himinplay-hours:carriedhimtriumphantlyoutofthelittle-boyclassintothemiddle-sizedform;andeventheregotafairplaceforhim.
Itwasdiscovered,thatalthoughdullatclassicallearning,atmathematicshewasuncommonlyquick.
Tothecontentmentofallhepassedthirdinalgebra,andgotaFrenchprize-bookatthepublicMidsummerexamination.
Youshouldhaveseenhismother’sfacewhenTelemaque(thatdeliciousromance)waspresentedtohimbytheDoctorinthefaceofthewholeschoolandtheparentsandcompany,withaninscriptiontoGulielmoDobbin.
Alltheboysclappedhandsintokenofapplauseandsympathy.
Hisblushes,hisstumbles,hisawkwardness,andthenumberoffeetwhichhecrushedashewentbacktohisplace,whoshalldescribeorcalculate?
OldDobbin,hisfather,whonowrespectedhimforthefirsttime,gavehimtwoguineaspublicly;mostofwhichhespentinageneraltuck-outfortheschool:andhecamebackinatail-coataftertheholidays.
Dobbinwasmuchtoomodestayoungfellowtosupposethatthishappychangeinallhiscircumstancesarosefromhisowngenerousandmanlydisposition:hechose,fromsomeperverseness,toattributehisgoodfortunetothesoleagencyandbenevolenceoflittleGeorgeOsborne,towhomhenceforthhevowedsuchaloveandaffectionasisonlyfeltbychildren—suchanaffection,aswereadinthecharmingfairy-book,uncouthOrsonhadforsplendidyoungValentinehisconqueror.
HeflunghimselfdownatlittleOsborne’sfeet,andlovedhim.
Evenbeforetheywereacquainted,hehadadmiredOsborneinsecret.
Nowhewashisvalet,hisdog,hismanFriday.
HebelievedOsbornetobethepossessorofeveryperfection,tobethehandsomest,thebravest,themostactive,thecleverest,themostgenerousofcreatedboys.
Hesharedhismoneywithhim:boughthimuncountablepresentsofknives,pencil-cases,goldseals,toffee,LittleWarblers,andromanticbooks,withlargecolouredpicturesofknightsandrobbers,inmanyofwhichlatteryoumightreadinscriptionstoGeorgeSedleyOsborne,Esquire,fromhisattachedfriendWilliamDobbin—thewhichtokensofhomageGeorgereceivedverygraciously,asbecamehissuperiormerit.
SothatLieutenantOsborne,whencomingtoRussellSquareonthedayoftheVauxhallparty,saidtotheladies,“Mrs.Sedley,Ma’am,Ihopeyouhaveroom;I’veaskedDobbinofourstocomeanddinehere,andgowithustoVauxhall.He’salmostasmodestasJos.”
“Modesty!pooh,”saidthestoutgentleman,castingavainqueurlookatMissSharp.
“Heis—butyouareincomparablymoregraceful,Sedley,”Osborneadded,laughing.
“ImethimattheBedford,whenIwenttolookforyou;andItoldhimthatMissAmeliawascomehome,andthatwewereallbentongoingoutforanight’spleasuring;andthatMrs.Sedleyhadforgivenhisbreakingthepunch-bowlatthechild’sparty.
Don’tyourememberthecatastrophe,Ma’am,sevenyearsago?”
“OverMrs.Flamingo’scrimsonsilkgown,”saidgood-naturedMrs.Sedley.“Whatagawkyitwas!
Andhissistersarenotmuchmoregraceful.
LadyDobbinwasatHighburylastnightwiththreeofthem.Suchfigures!mydears.”
“TheAlderman’sveryrich,isn’the?”Osbornesaidarchly.“Don’tyouthinkoneofthedaughterswouldbeagoodspecforme,Ma’am?”
“Youfoolishcreature!Whowouldtakeyou,Ishouldliketoknow,withyouryellowface?”
“Mineayellowface?StoptillyouseeDobbin.Why,hehadtheyellowfeverthreetimes;twiceatNassau,andonceatSt.Kitts.”
“Well,well;yoursisquiteyellowenoughforus.Isn’tit,Emmy?”
Mrs.Sedleysaid:atwhichspeechMissAmeliaonlymadeasmileandablush;andlookingatMr.GeorgeOsborne’spaleinterestingcountenance,andthosebeautifulblack,curling,shiningwhiskers,whichtheyounggentlemanhimselfregardedwithnoordinarycomplacency,shethoughtinherlittleheartthatinHisMajesty’sarmy,orinthewideworld,thereneverwassuchafaceorsuchahero.
“Idon’tcareaboutCaptainDobbin’scomplexion,”shesaid,“orabouthisawkwardness.
Ishallalwayslikehim,Iknow,”herlittlereasonbeing,thathewasthefriendandchampionofGeorge.
“There’snotafinerfellowintheservice,”Osbornesaid,“norabetterofficer,thoughheisnotanAdonis,certainly.”
Andhelookedtowardstheglasshimselfwithmuchnaivete;andinsodoing,caughtMissSharp’seyefixedkeenlyuponhim,atwhichheblushedalittle,andRebeccathoughtinherheart,“Ah,monbeauMonsieur!
IthinkIhaveYOURgauge”—thelittleartfulminx!
Thatevening,whenAmeliacametrippingintothedrawing-roominawhitemuslinfrock,preparedforconquestatVauxhall,singinglikealark,andasfreshasarose—averytallungainlygentleman,withlargehandsandfeet,andlargeears,setoffbyacloselycroppedheadofblackhair,andinthehideousmilitaryfroggedcoatandcockedhatofthosetimes,advancedtomeether,andmadeheroneoftheclumsiestbowsthatwaseverperformedbyamortal.
ThiswasnootherthanCaptainWilliamDobbin,ofHisMajesty’sRegimentofFoot,returnedfromyellowfever,intheWestIndies,towhichthefortuneoftheservicehadorderedhisregiment,whilstsomanyofhisgallantcomradeswerereapinggloryinthePeninsula.
Hehadarrivedwithaknocksoverytimidandquietthatitwasinaudibletotheladiesupstairs:otherwise,youmaybesureMissAmeliawouldneverhavebeensoboldastocomesingingintotheroom.
Asitwas,thesweetfreshlittlevoicewentrightintotheCaptain’sheart,andnestledthere.
Whensheheldoutherhandforhimtoshake,beforeheenvelopeditinhisown,hepaused,andthought—”Well,isitpossible—areyouthelittlemaidIrememberinthepinkfrock,suchashorttimeago—thenightIupsetthepunch-bowl,justafterIwasgazetted?
AreyouthelittlegirlthatGeorgeOsbornesaidshouldmarryhim?
Whatabloomingyoungcreatureyouseem,andwhataprizetheroguehasgot!”
Allthishethought,beforehetookAmelia’shandintohisown,andashelethiscockedhatfall.
Hishistorysinceheleftschool,untiltheverymomentwhenwehavethepleasureofmeetinghimagain,althoughnotfullynarrated,hasyet,Ithink,beenindicatedsufficientlyforaningeniousreaderbytheconversationinthelastpage.
Dobbin,thedespisedgrocer,wasAldermanDobbin—AldermanDobbinwasColoneloftheCityLightHorse,thenburningwithmilitaryardourtoresisttheFrenchInvasion.
ColonelDobbin’scorps,inwhicholdMr.Osbornehimselfwasbutanindifferentcorporal,hadbeenreviewedbytheSovereignandtheDukeofYork;andthecolonelandaldermanhadbeenknighted.
Hissonhadenteredthearmy:andyoungOsbornefollowedpresentlyinthesameregiment.
TheyhadservedintheWestIndiesandinCanada.
Theirregimenthadjustcomehome,andtheattachmentofDobbintoGeorgeOsbornewasaswarmandgenerousnowasithadbeenwhenthetwowereschoolboys.
Sotheseworthypeoplesatdowntodinnerpresently.
Theytalkedaboutwarandglory,andBoneyandLordWellington,andthelastGazette.
Inthosefamousdayseverygazettehadavictoryinit,andthetwogallantyoungmenlongedtoseetheirownnamesinthegloriouslist,andcursedtheirunluckyfatetobelongtoaregimentwhichhadbeenawayfromthechancesofhonour.
MissSharpkindledwiththisexcitingtalk,butMissSedleytrembledandgrewquitefaintassheheardit.
Mr.Jostoldseveralofhistiger-huntingstories,finishedtheoneaboutMissCutlerandLancethesurgeon;helpedRebeccatoeverythingonthetable,andhimselfgobbledanddrankagreatdeal.
Hesprangtoopenthedoorfortheladies,whentheyretired,withthemostkillinggrace—andcomingbacktothetable,filledhimselfbumperafterbumperofclaret,whichheswallowedwithnervousrapidity.
“He’spriminghimself,”OsbornewhisperedtoDobbin,andatlengththehourandthecarriagearrivedforVauxhall.
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