He is early among the shopkeepers, ordering little table luxuries that his nephew likes.

His nephew will not be with him long, he tells his provision-dealers, and so must be petted and made much of.

While out on his hospitable preparations, he looks in on Mr.Sapsea; and mentions that dear Ned, and that inflammable young spark of Mr.Crisparkle's, are to dine at the gatehouse to-day, and make up their difference.

Mr.Sapsea is by no means friendly towards the inflammable young spark.

He says that his complexion is 'Un-English.' And when Mr.Sapsea has once declared anything to be Un-English, he considers that thing everlastingly sunk in the bottomless pit.
John Jasper is truly sorry to hear Mr.Sapsea speak thus, for he knows right well that Mr.Sapsea never speaks without a meaning, and that he has a subtle trick of being right.