But with the supper-hour Dick's spirits ebbed.

He knew, poor fellow, what Fate held in store.

His father intended making a few remarks over him, as a sort of substitute for his defrauded speech to the non-existing tenantry.
"Stand by me, Jake, there's a man!" whispered Dick, forlornly, to his crony.
"I will, Dick, like a woman!" Jake responded, tenderly, and the two stood together just at Mr.Hardcastle's elbow, as that worthy advanced to a central spot between the bonfires, cleared his throat ominously, and pirouetted solemnly around, holding up his hand to attract general attention.
"My friends," began Mr.Hardcastle, swelling with the importance of the moment to even more than his usual rotundity, "this has been a day of days to me.

All of you who are parents will appreciate my feelings of mingled pride and humility,--of pride and humility," repeated Mr.
Hardcastle, pleased with the antithesis, and swaying gently back and forth, "as I stand here before you with my son, the boy whom I have watched over from his cradle up with an unsleeping eye, and whose tender feet"-- Dick here stooped over to inspect those honest, able members.

Jake did the same with evident disapproval of them.