"Don't name Intrusion, Sir," says my Mother.
"But I must name it, Madam! Most abominable Intrusion! Hum,—hum,—I can't help thinking I have seen that Lady's Face before"—with his Eyes full upon Gatty.
"The Day Lady Betty was here, Sir."
"Bless my Soul, yes! I remember all about it now. Most unlucky occurrence! You're quite recovered, Ma'am, I hope?"
And he seemed all at once to reflect, that, whereas he had been here on a previous Occasion with my Lady, he was now taking Tea with the Lady's Maid. Too well-bred to behave superciliously, he nevertheless said not another Syllable to Gatty, but kept eyeing her continually like a fine Picture. For her Part, Gatty looked so little towards him, that I believe she was quite unconscious of the Attention. A Physician is fit Company for Anybody; and Dr. Elwes put some Question about the News of the Day, which soon led to general and fluent Conversation. Mr. Caryl was evidently not aiming to shine, as when at Lady Betty's Table. I cannot recall one witty Thing that he said; but, on the other Hand, there was a racy, genial flow of small Talk, in which all could take their Share, and no one felt distanced or outshone, that was even better than Bon-mot or Repartee. Mr. Fenwick was, I believe, on the Tenter-Hooks, at first, for Mr. Caryl's good News; but soon making out that it was not immediately forthcoming, he gave himself up to the Enjoyment of the passing Moment. Ere Tea was well over, they fell to some amusing Play upon Words, that must be shown upon Paper. Writing Implements were immediately found Room for; and from one ingenious Puzzle to another they went on, now giving us Anagrams to make out, now sending round Quips and Queries that each was to answer in their own Fashion, till Doctor Elwes exclaimed, "Oh, Brag and Loo! how well we can do without you!"
I whispered to him softly, "Shall I fill your Pipe, Sir?"
"No!" returns he, with equal Quietness, "I meant to have had one, but these young Sparks keep me awake without it. They're monstrous good Company, Mrs. Patty."
And so we went on as merry as Crickets, till I began to think of two Things at once; that is to say, of two Dozen—the Anagram before me—and Sausage Rolls, Oyster Patties, stewed Sweetbreads, and so forth for Supper; and to be sensible that I must go and look after them. Just then, I noticed a distressed look cross Prue's Face at some little Attention Mr. Fenwick paid Mrs. Gatty. "Dear me, how foolish of you, Prue," thought I, "to be vexed by Anything like that! Why, he cares very little about you, and Nothing at all for her!" And, stealing from my Seat, I was about to withdraw quietly to the Kitchen, when suddenly the Parlour-Door flies wide open, and on the Threshold stands my poor Father, with a Face as red as his Waistcoat, who after giving an amazed Glance round about him, exclaims:
"Hoity-toity! Who are all these young Fellows, amusing themselves in my Chinese Parlour?"
I thought Mr. Caryl would have gone into Fits with suppressed Laughter. "Sir," said he, advancing and bowing, "I as the chief Intruder, beg to introduce myself by the Name of Mr. Paul Caryl, of the Inner Temple, at your Service; and this is my Friend and your Lodger, Mr. Fenwick, whom I have made a Call upon. The other Gentleman, you will perceive, is your Family Physician."