Part 17 (1/2)

While the ladies were thus busying theress, and as all should be fish that coentle to hihbours, which, on the contrary, he abstracted whenever an opportunity presented itself, s sospeeches to the owners, that they were delighted with his aht in their hearts that he deserved to be Chancellor of the Exchequer at least

After a great deal of trouble, and the adses, whereof two of the most rebellious were suance, and a pair of boiled fowls, a large piece of pork, apple-pie, potatoes and greens, were served; at sight of which, the worthy Mr Lillyvick vented a great ly: to the iht and satisfaction of the whole body of admirers

Very well and very fast the supper went off; no , than those which arose from the incessant des wish, more than once, that private society adopted the principle of schools, and required that every guest should bring his own knife, fork, and spoon; which doubtless would be a great accommodation in entleman of the house, especially if the school principle were carried out to the full extent, and the articles were expected, as a ain

Everybody having eaten everything, the table was cleared in a reat noise; and the spirits, whereat the eyes of Newed in order, ater both hot and cold, the party co stationed in a large arses disposed on a small form in front of the company with their flaxen tails towards thees was overpowered by the feelings of a s dissolved in tears

'They are so beautiful!' said Mrs Kenwigs, sobbing

'Oh, dear,' said all the ladies, 'so they are! it's very natural you should feel proud of that; but don't give way, don't'

'I can-not help it, and it don't signify,' sobbed Mrs Kenwigs; 'oh! they're too beautiful to live,presenti doomed to an early death in the flower of their infancy, all four little girls raised a hideous cry, and burying their heads in their ht flaxen tails vibrated again; Mrs Kenwigsthem alternately to her bosom, with attitudes expressive of distraction, which Miss Petowker herself th, the anxious mother permitted herself to be soothed into aalso co the coain overcome by the blaze of their coentle that they would live for many, many years, and that there was no occasion at all for Mrs Kenwigs to distress herself; which, in good truth, there did not appear to be; the loveliness of the children by no ht year,' said Mr Kenwigs after a pause 'Dear me-ah!'

This reflection was echoed by all present, who said 'Ah!' first, and 'dear er then,' tittered Mrs Kenwigs

'No,' said the collector

'Certainly not,' added everybody

'I re his audience with a grave air; 'I reed to her s ”Mother,” she says, ”I love his

'”Love him,” I think, my dear,' said the collector, firs, subht it was ”adore”'

'”Love,” my dear,' retorted Mr Lillyvick '”Mother,” she says, ”I love him!” ”What do I hear?” cries herconwulsions'

A general exclamation of astonish conwulsions,' repeated Mr Lillyvick, regarding the, in the presence of friends, that there was a very great objection to hiround that he was beneath the fas?'

'Certainly,' replied that gentleman, in no way displeased at the reminiscence, inash fa,' said Mr Lillyvick: 'perhaps it was natural; perhaps it wasn't'

A gentle murmur seemed to say, that, in one of Mr Lillyvick's station, the objection was not only natural, but highly praiseworthy

'I came round to him in time,' said Mr Lillyvick 'After they were married, and there was no help for it, I was one of the first to say that Kenwigs must be taken notice of The family DID take notice of him, in consequence, and on my representation; and I am bound to say-and proud to say-that I have always found hiht, respectable sort of s, shake hands'

'I as

'So as,' rejoined Mr Lillyvick

'A very happy life I have led with your niece, sir,' said Kenwigs

'It would have been your own fault if you had not, sir,' res,' cried her mother, at this crisis,lady did as she was requested, and the three other little girls were successively hoisted up to the collector's countenance, and subjected to the same process, which was afterwards repeated on thes,' said Miss Petowker, 'while Mr Noggs is o through that figure dance before Mr Lillyvick'

'No, no, s, 'it will only worry my uncle'

'It can't worry him, I am sure,' said Miss Petowker 'You will be very much pleased, won't you, sir?'

'That I a at the punch-s, 'Morleena shall do the steps, if uncle can persuade Miss Petowker to recite us the Blood-Drinker's Burial, afterwards'

There was a great clapping of hands and staently inclined her head several timent of the reception

'You know,' said Miss Petowker, reproachfully, 'that I dislike doing anything professional in private parties'

'Oh, but not here!' said Mrs Kenwigs 'We are all so very friendly and pleasant, that you h it in your own room; besides, the occasion-'

'I can't resist that,' interrupted Miss Petowker; 'anything in s and Miss Petowker had arranged a small PROGRAMME of the entertainments between them, of which this was the prescribed order, but they had settled to have a little pressing on both sides, because it lookedall ready, Miss Petowker hu previously had the soles of her shoes chalked, with as ht-rope It was a very beautiful figure, coreat deal of work for the arms, and was received with unbounded applause

'If I was blessed with a-a child-' said Miss Petowker, blushi+ng, 'of such genius as that, I would have her out at the Opera instantly'

Mrs Kenwigs sighed, and looked at Mr Kenwigs, who shook his head, and observed that he was doubtful about it

'Kenwigs is afraid,' said Mrs K

'What of?' inquired Miss Petowker, 'not of her failing?'

'Oh no,' replied Mrs Kenwigs, 'but if she grehat she is now,-only think of the young dukes and ht,' said the collector

'Still,' submitted Miss Petowker, 'if she took a proper pride in herself, you know-'

'There's a good deal in that,' observed Mrs Kenwigs, looking at her husband