The “Firm,” when they did go in for a thing, did it well, and no mistake; and, if Mr Richardson had paid up royally for them during the day, he should find that more than one could play at that game, and that they would pay up royally at night.
Like a brave man, the good father expanded his appetite, and, regardless of consequences, took a little of everything. The “Firm” took a great deal of everything, and never was a more jovial meal.
Coote’s cup seemed to be always on the road to or from the pot, and Georgie was for ever mistaking the dish of tea-cake for his own private plate; while Dick, bolder than any of them, insisted on giving his parent ocular demonstration of the wholesomeness of each several dish, until that good gentleman began to think it was a good thing he was not a daily visitor at Templeton.
“Jolly brickish of old Cress, giving us his study, isn’t it, you chaps?”
“Rather!” said Georgie. “I think we might almost leave him out something.”
“I don’t particularly want this egg,” said Coote, who had already accomplished two and was gently tapping a third, “if you think he’d like that.”
“How would it be to ask him in? Would you mind, father?”
“Not at all,” said Mr Richardson, really relieved at the prospect of a fifth appetite to help off the banquet.
So Dick went in search of his senior, and found him in Freckleton’s study. He felt constrained to invite both seniors to join their party, and, somewhat to his alarm, they both accepted gladly.
Dick need not have been alarmed, though, for both the provisions and the company held out wonderfully.