“Why, then, Papa,” said Miss Branghton, “we’ll go to Don Saltero’s. Mr. Smith likes that place, so may be he’ll go along with us.”
“No, no,” said the son, “I’m for White-Conduit House; so let’s go there.”
“White-Conduit House, indeed!” cried his sister; “no, Tom, that I won’t.”
“Why, then, let it alone; nobody wants your company;-we shall do as well without you, I’ll be sworn, and better too.”
“I’ll tell you what, Tom, if you don’t hold your tongue, I’ll make you repent it,-that I assure you.”
Just then Mr. Smith came into the shop, which he seemed to intend passing through; but when he saw me, he stopped, and began a most courteous enquiry after my health, protesting, that, had he known I was there, he should have come down sooner. “But, bless me, Ma’am,” added he, “what is the reason you stand?” and then he flew to bring me the seat from which I had just parted.
“Mr. Smith, you are come in very good time,” said Mr. Branghton, “to end a dispute between my son and daughter, about where they shall all go to-night.”
“O, fie, Tom,-dispute with a lady!” cried Mr. Smith. “Now, as for me, I’m for where you will, provided this young lady is of the party;-one place is the same as another to me, so that it be but agreeable to the ladies.-I would go any where with you, Ma’am,” (to me) “unless, indeed, it were to church; -ha, ha, ha!-You’ll excuse me, Ma’am; but, really, I never could conquer my fear of a parson;-ha, ha, ha!-Really, ladies, I beg your pardon for being so rude; but I can’t help laughing for my life!”
“I was just saying, Mr. Smith,” said Miss Branghton, “that I should like to go to Don Saltero’s;-now, pray, where should you like to go?”
“Why, really, Miss Biddy, you know I always let the ladies decide; I never fix any thing myself; but I should suppose it would be rather hot at the coffee-house:-however, pray, ladies, settle it among yourselves;-I’m agreeable to whatever you choose.”