I was a little rebuffed, I must own, but I replied that I was Mr Simple.

"And pray, Mr Simple, what would your grandfather say if he saw you now?
I have servants in plenty to open my door, and the parlour is the proper place for young gentlemen." "Law, Mr Handycock," said his wife, from the top of the stairs, "how can you be so cross?
I told him to open the door to surprise you." "And you have surprised me," replied he, "with your cursed folly." While Mr Handycock was rubbing his boots on the mat, I went upstairs rather mortified, I must own, as my father had told me that Mr Handycock was his stockbroker, and would do all he could to make me comfortable: indeed, he had written to that effect in a letter, which my father showed to me before I left home.

When I returned to the parlour, Mrs Handycock whispered to me, "Never mind, my dear, it's only because there's something wrong on 'Change.

Mr Handycock is a _bear_ just now." I thought so too, but I made no answer, for Mr Handycock came upstairs, and walking with two strides from the door of the parlour to the fire-place, turned his back to it, and lifting up his coat-tails, began to whistle.
"Are you ready for your dinner, my dear ?" said the lady, almost trembling.
"If the dinner is ready for me.

I believe we usually dine at four," answered her husband, gruffly.
"Jemima, Jemima, dish up! do you hear, Jemima ?" "Yes, marm," replied the cook, "directly I've thickened the butter;" and Mrs Handycock resumed her seat, with, "Well, Mr Simple, and how is your grandfather, Lord Privilege ?" "He is quite well, ma'am," answered I, for the fifteenth time at least.