“ ‘What—the old boy in the country, eh?’
“ ‘My father is in the country,’ I answered, seriously, not very well pleased to hear my parent called the ‘Old Boy.’
“ ‘Then you have no city references, eh?’
“ ‘None at all: I have no friends here, except yourself.’
“ ‘Me!’ exclaimed Mr. Lummocks, apparently in great amazement. ‘Oh, oh!—but how much of a bill do you mean to make with us, captain?’
“ ‘Perhaps I may buy a vest-pattern,’ I replied, ‘if you have got some genteel patterns.’
“ ‘A vest-pattern!’ exclaimed Mr. Lummocks; ‘what! haven't you come down for the purpose of buying goods?’
“ ‘No, sir,’ I replied: ‘I came to New York to seek for employment; and as you had shown me so many kind attentions, I thought you would be glad to assist me in finding a situation.’
“Mr. Lummock's countenance underwent a very singular change when I announced my reasons for calling on him.
“ ‘Do you see any thing that looks green in there?’ he asked, pulling down his eyelid with his forefinger.