sented to its following them. Then, Old Tom, who was
of a practical turn, meditated, swung his foot, and gave one grim kick
at the imaginary bundle of villains, discharged them headlong straight
into space. Andrew, naturally imitative, and seeing that he had now
to kick them flying, attempted to excel Old Tom in the vigour of his
delivery. No wonder that the efforts of both were heating: they were
engaged in the task of ridding the globe of the larger half of its
inhabitants. Tom perceived Andrew's useless emulation, and with a sound
translated by 'yack,' sent his leg out a long way. Not to be outdone,
Andrew immediately, with a still louder 'yack,' committed himself to an
effort so violent that the alternative between his leg coming off, or
his being taken off his leg, was propounded by nature, and decided by
the laws of gravity in a trice. Joyful grunts were emitted by Old Tom
at the sight of Andrew prostrate, rubbing his pate. But Mrs. Sockley,
to whom the noise of Andrew's fall had suggested awful fears of a
fratricidal conflict upstairs, hurried forthwith to announce to them
that the sovereign remedy for human ills, the promoter of concord,
the healer of feuds, the central point of man's destiny in the
flesh--Dinner, was awaiting them.

To the dinner they marched.

Of this great festival be it simply told that the supply was copious
and of good quality--much too good and copious for a bankrupt host: that
Evan and Mr. John Raikes were formally introduced to Old Tom before the
repast commenced, and welcomed some three minutes after he had decided
the flavour of his first glass; that Mr. Raikes in due time preferred
his petition for release from a dreadful engagement, and furnished vast
amusement to the company under Old Tom's hand, until, by chance, he
quoted a scrap of Latin, at which the brothers Cogglesby, who would have
faced peers and princes without being disconcerted, or performing mental
genuflexions, shut their mouths and looked injured, unhappy, and in
the presence of a superior: Mr. Raikes not being the man to spare them.
Moreover, a surprise was afforded to Evan. Andrew stated to Old Tom that
the hospitality of Main Street, Lymport,--was open to him. Strange to
say, Old Tom accepted it on the spot, observing, 'You're master of the
house--can do what you like, if you 're man enough,' and adding that he
thanked him, and would come in a day or two. The case of Mr. Raikes was
still left uncertain, for as the