Hold, John! (Master Smith I should say)--Before thou speakest, consider--
I won't be affronted, man.
Sir, I wish you'd walk down, said the good woman. Really, Sir, you
take--
Great liberties I hope you would not say, Mrs. Smith?
Indeed, Sir, I was going to say something like it.
Well, then, I am glad I prevented you; for such words better become my
mouth than yours. But I must lodge with you till the lady returns. I
believe I must. However, you may be wanted in the shop; so we'll talk
that over there.
Down I went, they paying diligent attendance on my steps.
When I came into the shop, seeing no chair or stool, I went behind the
compter, and sat down under an arched kind of canopy of carved work,
which these proud traders, emulating the royal niche-fillers, often give
themselves, while a joint-stool, perhaps, serves those by whom they get
their bread: such is the dignity of trade in this mercantile nation!
I looked about me, and above me; and told them I was very proud of my
seat; asking, if John were ever permitted to fill this superb niche?
Perhaps he was, he said, very surlily.
That is it that makes thee looks so like a statue, man.
John looked plaguy glum upon me. But his man Joseph and my man Will.
turned round with their backs to us, to hide their grinning, with each
his fist in his mouth.