The poor girl provoked, told him, "He lied like a rascal!"
The other very sedately replied, "The sexton had so informed him; and if false, he was to blame for imposing on a stranger."
She asked a second, and a third as they passed; and every one was in the same tone.
Now I don't say these were accomplices to a certain astrological Squire, and that one BICKERSTAFF might be sauntering thereabouts; because I will assert nothing here but what I dare attest, and plain matter of fact.
My wife, at this, fell into a violent disorder; and I must own I was a little discomposed at the oddness of the accident.
In the meantime, one knocks at the door. BETTY runneth down and opening, finds a sober grave person, who modestly inquires "If this was Dr. PARTRIDGE's?"
She, taking him for some cautious City patient, that came at that time for privacy, shews him into the dining-room.
As soon as I could compose myself, I went to him; and was surprised to find my gentleman mounted on a table with a two-foot rule in his hand, measuring my walls, and taking the dimensions of the room.
"Pray, Sir," says I, "not to interrupt you, have you any business with me?"
"Only, Sir," replies he, "to order the girl to bring me a better light: for this is but a dim one."