she has good teeth. There is thought in her eyes, and a grace in her smile. And then she is so accomplished ; so full of talent ; there it is that she shines. But you shall hear her sing."
Mr. Dobbs reproached his son-in-law on the impropriety and vulgarity of " whispering in company," and then the conversation became general. The old greengrocer railed against the fashionable world, and he told the company what had been the price of the six-percents. every week for the three preceding years.
"These things are his hobby," said Alfred ; " you must pardon him his sarcastic humor and his conversation. It is that of an old shopkeeper, who has gone upon ' change, and acquired an immense fortune, with great honor to himself." Mrs. Dobbs echoed all the observations of her husband, and Mrs. Egremont threw out several piquant observations, which seemed to be particularly intended for the benefit of all spend-thrift dandies. As to the mother-inlaw, she glared upon Alfred like a wild cat, when she said"Have you done what I desired you this morning ?" "Yes, my dear mother," replied Alfred with extreme meekness. "Whydon't you answer me ?" said Mrs. Dobbs ; "but it is your usual careless way." " Pardon me, I was speaking to those gentlemen," replied Alfred, happy in being able to think he had so good an excuse. "What shall we do until dinner is dressed ?" observed Mr. Dobbs. "Well, well," chimed in Tabitha, " I never did see such a man. You never have a word to throw to a dog. You sit there like a fool. It is for you to answer papa's question. You ought to know the taste of these gentlemen-of your friends.” "Pardon me, my dearest angel, I was just thinking-I believe we shall take a walk in the neighborhood." "In the neighborhood, indeed !" said Mr. Dobbs. "Only just listen ! as if my grounds were not large enough for him. We will go first to the piggery, and then into the kitchen-garden, and then we shall look at my pond, where there are some fine eels, and fifteen golden fish, and then we will take a walk into the orchard- " "And then into the paddock," said Alfred. "Well, if I ever heard the like ! The paddock he calls it. Would the word park burn your tongue, my hopeful son-in-law." "Yes, you are right ; I ought to have said park," humbly replied Alfred. They set out for their promenade. "Alfred, shut all the windows, and close the door after us," said Mr. Dobbs. " Alfred, run and fetch Juno," said the mother-in-law.
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" Alfred, bring me my parasol, my scarf, and my reticule," said Tabitha." Alfred executed all these commissions with the quickness of a man who was well accustomed to them. " These are very good people,” said he to his old acquaintances ; " very good people indeed. I do for them just as they do for me. They overwhelm me with their little cares, and I good naturedly bear them." During the walk Alfred was frequently called upon to do something for his wife or her family. On their return they had dinner, which was at the same time shabby, and yet aping what is fashionable. It was half cold, and half burnt. Alfred was two or three times invited to stand up and change the plates, or fill the glasses. Mr. Dobbs, from the moment that soup was placed before him, until the dessert was removed, never stopped talking. " I think I shall smoke a cigar in the garden," said Creed to his friend Alfred. "Smoke ! Oh, don't think of it, my dear fellow ; the cigar is a thing proscribed in this abode." "Well, then, a little farther off-in the park, as Mr. Dobbs calls it ?" "No, no ; for if there was the slightest smell of it, my wife or my mother-in-law would nose it out. Besides, we expect company ; neighbors, who are coming to pass the evening with us; and we shall have a great deal of amusement ; for my wife is going to play on the piano. Listen !" There was no doubt that there was playing on the piano ; for the instrument groaned under the heavy fingers of Tabitha, who played in an inexplicable manner some most difficult pieces. Then, yielding to the request of her mother, Mrs. Egremont sung three of the most favorite airs of Grisi, and gave them with the most astonishing quavers, and almost incredible flourishes. Every time she stopped, Alfred was the first to applaud. The visitors arrived during the concert ; and at its conclusion Mr. Dobbs proposed they should play loo at a halfpenny a fish. "It is quite impossible," answered in the one breath Creed and Mandeville ; " for we must now leave you. It will be some time advanced in the night before we can reach the city." "What !" cried Alfred, " don't you intend to sleep here ? Only think that—” But a look, like that of a basilisk, from Mrs. Dobbs, fascinated Alfred in the midst of his burst of hospitality and friendship. He stopped, and assisted his friends into the vehicle that had conveyed them from town. 66 You have," said he, "been the eye-witnesses of my domestic happiness ; and may you profit by my example !" "Oh, yes," they replied, " it is an excellent lesson for us." The cab started off at a gallop.
