At dinner Will was, by arrangement, placed in
the chair, and being well instructed and prepared for execution, was
ably supported by Tat and his friends: the host, too, who was in
excellent humour, quite pleased to see such a numerous and respectable
party, apologised repeatedly, observing that he would have provided more
abundantly had he known of the intended honour: in this way all things
proceeded very pleasantly with the first course, Will not caring to make
any very wonderful display of his masticatory prowess with either of the
_unsubstantials_, fish or soup; but when a fine _aitch-bone_ of beef
came before the gourmand, he stuck his fork into the centre, and,
unheedful of the ravenous solicitations of those around him requesting a
slice, proceeded to demolish the whole joint, with as much celerity as
the hyena would the harmless rabbit: the company stared with
astonishment; the landlord, to whom the waiters had communicated the
fact, entered the room in breathless haste; and on observing the empty
dish, and hearing Will direct the waiter to take away the bone and bring
him a clean plate, was apparently thunder-struck: but how much was his
astonishment increased upon perceiving Will help himself to a fine young
turkey, stuffed with sausages, which he proceeded to dissect with
anatomical ability, and by this time the company understanding the joke,
he was allowed uninterruptedly to deposit it in his immense capacious
receptacle, denominated by old Tat the _fathomless vacuum_.
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