This was putting the matter in a new light; and Robert despised anything like want of generosity. He hesitated but a second longer, till Bonny added, “Go, dear!” and then he marched straight to Mr. Brook and laid his soiled hand confidingly upon that gentleman’s knee.
“Wull—I’ll take it to ’blige you, not him. I ain’t a takin’ no pay fer what he done, an’ I’ll lick him yet, if I get big enough. Thank you, sir. There comes the waiter man. He’s been in here a lot o’ times a’ready. I guess it’s dinner, don’t you?”
“I guess it is. In fact, I know it is. Now, my son, what did you order? And I hope you did not forget me. I’m as hungry as a bear.”
“Are bears hungry?”
“They have that reputation. I am not acquainted with any bears myself, so I cannot speak from experience. Come, Dolloway, here is your especial bit of venison steak again, I see. Come, draw up to the table, all.”
Mr. Dolloway sniffed, “After you is manners for me, sir.”
“Stuff and nonsense, lad! Waive formality for once, and take a bit of dinner with an old friend—not after him. Come.”
“No, no, sir; thank you, I never could relish my victuals with young ones to the table.”
“Dolloway! sit up. That is enough of nonsense. And show the ill-taught child how he should behave—if you know how yourself.”
To Beatrice’s surprise, Mr. Dolloway did not apparently resent this speech of Mr. Brook’s, and he immediately obeyed it. She saw then that, familiar and almost equal as the two had seemed to her, one was still the master, the other the man.