gh that it was a terse malediction of
the landlord, the glass of hot, and even his own nose. Boniface was no
Yorkshireman, else would he have given as much as he got, at least in
lingual currency. As it was, he considered it no affair of his if a
guest expressed his nationality. "You must have better orders than that
to give, I hope, sir."

"Yes, sir, I have. And you have got the better of me; which has happened
to me three times this day already, because of the freezing of my wits,
young man. Now you go in to your best locker, and bring me your very
best bottle of Cognac--none of your government stuff, you know, but a
sample of your finest bit of smuggling. Why did I swear at a glass of
hot? Why, because you are all such a set of scoundrels. I want a glass
of hot as much as man ever did. But how can I drink it, when women and
children are dying--perhaps dead, for all I know--for want of warmth and
victuals? Your next-door neighbors almost, and a woman, whose husband
has just been murdered! And here you are swizzling, and rattling your
coppers. Good God, sir! The Almighty from heaven would send orders to
have His own commandment broken."

Mr. Mordacks was excited, and the landlord saw no cause for it. "What
makes you carry on like this?" he said; "it was only last night we was
talking in the tap-room of getting a subscription up, downright liberal.
I said I was good for a crown, and take it out of the tick they owes me.
And when you come to think of these hard times--"

"Take that, and then tell me if you find them softer." Suiting the
action to the word, the universal factor did something omitted on his
card in the list of his comprehensive functions. As the fat host
turned away, to rub his hands, with a phosphoric feeling of his future
generosity, a set of highly energetic toes, prefixed with the toughest
York leather, and tingling for exercise, made him their example. The
landlord flew up among his own pots and glasses, his head struck the
ceiling, which declined too long a taste of him, and anon a silvery ring
announced his return to his own timbers.

"Accept that neighborly subscription, my dear friend, and acknowledge
its promptitude," said Mr. Mordacks; "and now be quick about your
orders, peradventure a second flight might be less agreeable. Now don't
show any airs; you have been well treated, and should be thankful for
the facilities you have to offer. I know a poor man without any legs at
all, who would be