" "Ay, but you don't take me for a fag: if
you please, gentlemen, I shall help the ladies first, then myself and
friend, and afterwards you may divide the _omnium and scrip_ just as you
please."
"What a strange animal!" whispered the dancing master to his next
neighbour, an old conveyancer. "Yes, sir," replied the man of law, "a
city shark, I think, that will swallow all our share of the fish."
"Don't you think, Mr. Alderman," said a lusty lady on the opposite side
of the table, "the fish is rather _high_?"
"No, ma'ain, it's my opinion," (looking at the fragments) "the company
will find it rather low."
"Ay, but I mean, Mr. Alderman, it's not so _fresh_ as it might be."
"Why the head did whisper to me, ma'am, that he had not been at sea
these ten days; only I thought it rude to repeat what was told me
in confidence, and I'm not fond of _fresh things_ myself, am I, Mrs.
Marigold? Shall I help you to a little fowl, ma'am, a wing, or a merry
thought?"
"Egad! Mr. Alderman, you are always ready to assist the company with the
latter."
"Yes, ma'am, always happy to help the ladies to a __tit bit: shall I
send you the _recorder's nose_? Bless my heart, how warm it is! Here,
Joe, hang my wig behind me, and place that calf's-head before me." (See
Plate.)
"Very sorry, ma'am, very sorry indeed," said Mr.
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