with great attention, and promised
to demean himself accordingly. Then the discourse shifted to an
agreeable recapitulation of the merry scenes they had formerly acted
together. And the evening being pretty far advanced, Peregrine, with
seeming reluctance, told him that the gates of the Fleet would in a few
minutes be shut for the night, and that there was an absolute necessity
for his withdrawing to his lodging. Jack replied, that he could not
think of parting with him so soon, after such a long separation; and
that he was determined to stay with him an hour or two longer, if he
should be obliged to take up his lodging in the streets. Pickle, rather
than disoblige his guest, indulged him in his desire and resolved to
give him a share of his own bed. A pair of chickens and asparagus were
bespoke for supper, at which Pipes attended with an air of internal
satisfaction; and the bottle was bandied about in a jovial manner till
midnight, when the lieutenant rose up to take his leave, observing,
that, being fatigued with riding, he was inclined to turn in. Pipes,
upon this intimation, produced a lanthorn ready lighted; and Jack,
shaking his entertainer by the hand, wished him good night, and promised
to visit him again betimes in the morning.

Peregrine, imagining that his behaviour proceeded from the wine, which
he had plentifully drunk, told him, that, if he was disposed to sleep,
his bed was ready prepared in the room, and ordered his attendant to
undress his master; upon which Mr. Hatchway gave him to understand, that
he had no occasion to incommode his friend, having already provided a
lodging for himself, and the young gentleman demanding an explanation,
he frankly owned what he had done, saying, "You gave me such a dismal
account of the place, that I could not think of leaving you in it
without company." Our young gentleman, who was naturally impatient
of benefits, and foresaw that this uncommon instance of Hatchway's
friendship would encroach upon the plan which he had formed for his own
subsistence, by engrossing his time and attention, so as that he should
not be able to prosecute his labours, closeted the lieutenant next day,
and demonstrated to him the folly and ill consequences of the step he
had taken. He observed, that the world in general would look upon it as
the effect of mere madness; and, if his relations were so disposed, they
might make it the foundation for a statute of lunacy against him; that
his abs