Mat might offend Signor Riccabocca, and spoil all.

An animated altercation ensued, in the midst of which the squire and his wife entered the yard, with the intention of driving in the conjugal gig to the market town.

The matter was referred to the natural umpire by both the contending parties.
The squire looked with great contempt on his son.

"And what do you want a groom at all for?
Are you afraid of tumbling off the pony ?" FRANK.--"No, Sir; but I like to go as a gentleman, when I pay a visit to a gentleman!" SQUIRE (in high wrath).--"You precious puppy! I think I'm as good a gentleman as you any day, and I should like to know when you ever saw me ride to call on a neighbour with a fellow jingling at my heels, like that upstart Ned Spankie, whose father kept a cotton mill.

First time I ever heard of a Hazeldean thinking a livery coat was necessary to prove his gentility!" MRS.