Peace went back into the parlour, and told the company that he needed repose, and was about to retire; he wished them all good night. There was a vast amount of shaking of hands, and reiterated expressions of gratitude and friendship, after which Peace was permitted to take his leave, with the understanding that he was to join them on the following evening.
In less than half an hour after he had retired the parlour of the “Carved Lion” was tenantless.
CHAPTER XXI.
PEACE BECOMES ACQUAINTED WITH THE LANDLORD OF THE “CARVED LION.”
Our itinerant print-seller did not want any rocking that night; he had walked many miles in the course of the day, and was dead beat. He did not wake until morning.
Upon leaving his bedchamber he found his breakfast laid in a large apartment on the first floor, called the club-room.
In this place the members of two or three clubs were accustomed to hold their weekly or monthly meetings. The room was large, with a bay window at one end and a smaller one at the other. The walls were covered with pictures and prints of various descriptions in dingy and faded frames.
Peace was shown into the room by the little maiden who officiated as waitress. She was a rosy-cheeked, bright-eyed girl of about fifteen or sixteen summers.
A substantial breakfast was served; this our hero did full justice to, after which he arose and examined the pictures on the walls. While thus engaged the landlord entered to pay his respects to his guest.
“The top of the morning to thee, friend,” said Brickett, “I hope you had a good night’s rest.”