The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 396: what you’re looking at

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

MR. SYCAMORE avg of the Times from one table to another, and then bringing it back to the place whence he had removed it. Christian saw by these little manceuvres that the waiter purposely lingered with a view of being drawn into conversa- tion, but that he did not like to speak too fast, nor too con- fidentially in the first instance. “What have I to pay?” asked our hero, taking out his purse. “Pay, sir? Tell you directly, sir. Sandwiches, one and six, half-pint of sherry, one and three; two and nine, if you please, sir.’’ Christian handed the waiter five shillings, whereupon ‘hat functionary instantaneously began to fumble in his breeches pocket, holding himself much on one side as he did so, and delaying as long as he could to produce the change, because he more than half-suspected that he was to keep the balance for himself. And this was what Christian did mean, for he saw plainly enough that the waiter required to be lured rather than drawn into confidential discourse. “ Keep that for yourself,” said Christian. _“WVery much obliged to you, sir,’ answered the waiter with a bow, and having with his napkin brushed away a few more imaginary crumbs from the corner of the table, and moved the mustard-pot to the other side of the saltcellar, he said, ‘‘ I think you may find Mr. Sycamore an ‘agreeable gentleman enough, but he is very fast and very rackety.”’ “He has a great many visitors, has he not?’’ inquired Christian. “Yes, sir, a great many,’’ answered the waiter; then after a pause, he added, “‘ But he is always denied to them, sir, always.”’ ‘“ Denied to them?” ejaculated our hero, in amazement. “Oh, yes, sir! ‘Tailors, bootmakers, jewelers, livery- stable-keepers, — in fact, sir,’ added the waiter, with a significant look, ‘ Mr. Sycamore is very high and mighty indeed, and does not like low people,” having said which, the waiter again stared in a meaning manner upon Christian’s countenance. “ Do you intend me to understand,’’ demanded our hero, “ that Mr. Sycamore is not a respectable person? You can speak frankly. I do not ask through impertinent curiosity, and I shall not repeat anything you may tell me,”’ CORnNICLOO© cS (f(0) im