This, now, being all within your
cognizance already, my dear Hal, you take a pig's cheek and a fowl with
me to-day. There will be nobody but ourselves, for when I see company at
home I neither admit the gentleman nor the lady to table. Damn it, you
know the thing would be impossible. If you wish it, however, we shall
probably call in the gentleman after dinner to have a quiz with him;
it may relieve us. I can promise you a glass of wine, too, and that's
another reason why we should keep him aloof until the punch comes. The
wine's always a _sub silencio_ affair, and, may heaven pity me, I get
growling enough from old Bruin on other subjects."
"Anything you wish, Hycy, I am your man; but somehow I don't relish the
idea of the quiz you speak of. 'Children, obey your parents,' says
Holy Scripture; and I'd as soon not help a young fellow to laugh at his
father."
"A devilish good subject he is, though--but you must know that I can
draw just distinctions, Hal. For instance, I respect his honesty--"
"And copy it, eh?"
"Certainly--I respect his integrity, too--in fact, I appreciate all his
good qualities, and only laugh at his vulgarity and foibles."
"You intend to marry, Hycy?"
"Or, in other words, to call you brother some of these days."
"And to have sons and daughters?"
"Please the fates.
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