ne has a gent in as
understands such things; but you, being used to your cellar, and having
good stuff in your bins, yours is an opinion one would like to have.
There, sir, now just taste that," said Chunt, filling a liqueur-glass
from a big stone bottle; "that's, between ourselves, just as it comes--
untouched, you know. I'll mix you a glass hot; but just give me your
opinion on it as it is."

Mr Gurdon was touched in a weak place, for, though his cellar knowledge
was almost nil, it was not worth while to say so. Incense was nice--
almost as nice as brandy, so accepting Chunt's glass, and confidential
wink, he tasted the brandy--tasted it again, and then agreed that it
wasn't bad, only it wanted age.

"The very words as my spirit-merchant says to me, sir," said Chunt. "If
that brandy had age, sir, it wouldn't be surpassed anywhere."

Mr Gurdon felt better, and agreed with one of the visitors present that
they wanted rain. Then, after finishing the neat brandy, he commenced
the stiff tumbler of hot grog placed before him by Chunt, toyed with the
end of his cigar; and, finding a general disposition to pay him respect,
and to call him "sir," he gradually unbent--more swiftly, perhaps, than
he would have done--under the influence of the brandy and water, for
which he had a decided weakness, the potent spirit unlocking, or, as
Chunt told his wife, oiling the butlers tongue, so that he gratified the
curiosity of the Merlandites that evening to a considerable extent. And
there was no lack of brandy and water that night: every one drank it,
doing as Mr Gurdon did; and there was quite a struggle amongst the
little traders for the honour of "standing" Mr Gurdon's next glass, the
most eager of them, so as not to be outdone, requesting Chunt to fill it
again, while it was yet but half empty.

"And do you like furren parts, Mr Gurdon, sir?" said Chunt, setting the
ball rolling.

"Pretty well--pretty well," said Gurdon. "On the whole, perhaps, better
than England. Society's higher there--more titles."

"I suppose Mr Gurdon ain't brought home a Hightalian wife," said
Huttoft.

Mr Gurdon did not quite approve of this; and Huttoft had to suffer the
frowns of the whole company.

"And so, after all these years, Mr Gurdon, sir," said Mouncey, who was
in high spirits with the prospect of bread supplying, "you haven't
brought us home a heir to the Castle."

"No," said Mr Gurdon; "and it's my opinion as there'll never be on