The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 170: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE FREEMASON’S DAUGHTER. 161 *‘ Waiting, sir—waiting?” repeated the pompous partner: ‘‘ waiting for whom ?”’ ‘Your master, I reckon.” The reply was exceedingly mortifying, for Mr. Small, although a most insignificant person in appearance, laboured under the delusion that his manners were very imposing: he could not conceal from himself that he was only five feet three, but felt that a something, he did not exactly know what, redeemed it. An error very common, we believe, with little men. “Master! master!” he exclaimed. “ Impudent scoundrel! do you come here to insult me in my own counting-house 2?“ Do you know who I am?” “No,” said the ruffian, carelessly. Feeling his importance, he felt a secret pleasure in treating his questioner with affected indifference. “Then, sir, 1 am Mr. Grindem’s partner—one of the firm of Grindem and Small. I have a great incli- nation to call the porter, and order him to kick you out of the place.”’ ““Mr. Grindem’s partner!” repeated Flanagan, slowly ; ‘ why, then, ] suppose you havea pretty good berth of it?” ** Matthew, ring for the porter, to turn the fellow out.” ** It would be the worst day’s work he ever did,” said the fellow, fiercely ; ‘‘ it would not be a firm long!” and a hearty, low-bred chuckle followed what the speaker considered a bit of wit. VOL, I. M COniiclooecl SS (SO