his smile of unvarying serenity and politeness to appear upon his face.
Sim Tappertit, who had far too good an opinion of himself to suspect
that anybody could be playing upon him, thought within himself that
this was something like the respect to which he was entitled, and drew
a comparison from this courteous demeanour of a stranger, by no means
favourable to the worthy locksmith.

'From what passes in our house,' said Mr Tappertit, 'I am aware, sir,
that your son keeps company with a young lady against your inclinations.
Sir, your son has not used me well.'

'Mr Tappertit,' said the other, 'you grieve me beyond description.'

'Thank you, sir,' replied the 'prentice. 'I'm glad to hear you say so.
He's very proud, sir, is your son; very haughty.'

'I am afraid he IS haughty,' said Mr Chester. 'Do you know I was really
afraid of that before; and you confirm me?'

'To recount the menial offices I've had to do for your son, sir,' said
Mr Tappertit; 'the chairs I've had to hand him, the coaches I've had to
call for him, the numerous degrading duties, wholly unconnected with
my indenters, that I've had to do for him, would fill a family Bible.
Besides which, sir, he is but a young man himself and I do not consider
"thank'ee Sim," a proper form of address on those occasions.'

'Mr Tappertit, your wisdom is beyond your years. Pray go on.'

'I thank you for your good opinion, sir,' said Sim, much gratified,
'and will endeavour so to do. Now sir, on this account (and perhaps for
another reason or two which I needn't go into) I am on your side. And
what I tell you is this--that as long as our people go backwards and
forwards, to and fro, up and down, to that there jolly old Maypole,
lettering, and messaging, and fetching and carrying, you couldn't help
your son keeping company with that young lady by deputy,--not if he was
minded night and day by all the Horse Guards, and every man of 'em in
the very fullest uniform.'

Mr Tappertit stopped to take breath after this, and then started fresh
again.

'Now, sir, I am a coming to the point. You will inquire of me, "how is
this to be prevented?" I'll tell you how. If an honest, civil, smiling
gentleman like you--'

'Mr Tappertit--really--'

'No, no, I'm serious,' rejoined the 'prentice, 'I am, upon my soul.
If an honest, civil, smiling gentleman like you, was to talk but ten
minutes to our old woman--that's Mrs Varden--and flatter her up a bit,
you'd gain her over for eve