The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 348: what you’re looking at

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

THE STEAM PACKET, 2067 he added after a pause, “it is very probable that I may stay here a few days. The pier seems very agreeable—especially adapted for con- fidential rambles, Captain Pentonville !”’ ** Indeed, sir,” stammered our hero, turning as pale as death; ‘I should think that a public walk ‘‘ Has its eaves-droppers; eh, captain?’’ cried Mr. Smith, with alarming significance. ‘‘ However, all eaves-droppers are not tattlers again, you know ; and a person may overhear the confidential commu- nications of others, without wantonly betraying them—especially when honest intentions prevail.” Captain Pentonville looked his gratitude towards Mr. Smith; and from that moment he took a considerable liking for the testy, bilious, old gentleman. An hour was passed in the discussion of various mat- ters, and Mr. Smith showed himself to be a man who had travelled much and observed much. Mr. Pifpaf insisted upon drinking another bottle of wine; but to this proposal his two companions advanced a decided negative. “1 hate drinking in the morning, you know, Pifpaf; I mean before dinner,” observed the captain. *¢ Ah! you are not fond of drink then, young man,” said Mr. Smith, ‘“<T am glad of it—very glad of it. Young men are ruined by drink; whereas those who are not given to that Pailine may in time conquer their other evil propensities.”’ With these words Mr. Smith departed, to take a walk, he said, until six o’clock, when he should have the pleasure of dining in the com- pany of the Luminaries at the zable-d’ hate. “A very strange man,” said the captain to Mr. Pifpaf, when these two were alone together. ‘¢ Very remarkable,” said the chairman; “‘and so inquisitive!” “Indeed!” cried Pentonville, struck by this observation. ‘¢Qh! he seemed to know all about you and Lord Noodleton, and Aramintha and Belinda,” returned Mr. Pifpaf. ‘‘ The old man does not speak very well, though, of his lordship ; and yet I cannot exactly say that he positively stated anything derogatory to him. He recom- mended caution, and the necessity of being well acquainted with one’s son-in-law, and so on. I can’t say, upon reflection, that I admire his manner,” | | ‘‘ And I suppose,”’ said the captain, affecting a smile, “‘that the old fellow rattled on in the same unceremonious manner about your humble servant ?’’ , ‘“‘He said a great deal about you, ’tis true,’’ answered Mr. Pifpaf; “but nothing either good or bad. He asked more questions than he 399 Gomichbooks (E(0)