The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

MR. GUNTHORPE 85 hummed an opera air, while contemplating the spotless polish of his patent-leather boots as he sat lazily lolling back in his chair. ~' “ You see I was punctual,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, drawing forth a huge old-fashioned gold watch about the size of a turnip, and having a massive chain with at least a dozen large seals and keys by way of appendages. ‘I have also brought a pretty good appetite with me. I took a chop in the City at one, and have had nothing since.”’ “Dinner will be served up almost immediately, Mr. Gunthorpe,’ said Lord Harold, conquering his aversion as much as he was able, so as to behave civilly toward the old gentleman. ‘“‘ Have you been very busy in the City to-day? ”’ “ Very busy indeed,’’ was the response. ‘“‘ I and Snuflley — that’s my attorney — have had a great deal to do to- gether. It I had not thought it would have been too great a liberty, I should have brought Snuffley with me, but — ”’ “I should have been charmed to have entertained Mr. Snuffley on your account,” said Lord Harold, but he could not prevent himself from speaking in a cold and reserved tone. ‘ What a funny name,” tittered Lord Saxondale. ‘‘ Snuff- ley!—he! he! he! But I have noticed that many City men and middle-class people have very queer names.” ‘One name is as good as another, for anything I know,” observed Mr. Gunthorpe, curtly, ‘‘and I am sure that Snuffley’s name is better at the bottom of a cheque than many a name which has descended to its West End bearer from the Norman Conquest.” “ Ah! I date my family back to the time of the Tudors,” said Lord Saxondale, drawing himself up with an air of the most consummate conceit. ‘And mine is derived from a cellar in Clerkenwell,”’ said Mr. Gunthorpe. ‘‘ My father, God rest his soul! was a poor shoemaker, and my mother used to take in washing, go out charing, and do little odd jobs of that kind. Such as you see me, my lords, I was educated at a charity- school, and have fought my way up in the world from being a muffin-boy to what I am now,” and Mr. Gun- thorpe looked complacently around upon the two young aristocrats. COnniclooolkKks (FO)