Mrs. Grampus was delighted with the manners and the appetite of the stranger. She proceeded forthwith to bisect the lobster, while the Professor in a dégagé manner, his cane over his shoulder, and a cheerful whistle upon his lips, entered the little parlour, and took possession of a box and a table.
He was no sooner seated than, from a scuffle, a giggle, and a smack, Mrs. Grampus was induced to suspect that something went wrong in the oyster-room.
"Hadeliza!" cried she; and that young woman returned blushing now like a rose, who had been as pale before as a lily.
Mrs. G. herself took in the lobster, bidding her daughter sternly to stay in the shop. She approached the stranger with an angry air, and laid the lobster before him.
"For shame, sir!" said she solemnly; but all of a sudden she began to giggle like her daughter, and her speech ended with an "Have done now!"
We were not behind the curtain, and cannot of course say what took place; but it is evident that the Professor was a general lover of the sex.
Mrs. Grampus returned to the shop, rubbing her lips with her fat arms, and restored to perfect good-humour. The little errand-boy was despatched over the way for a bottle of Guinness and a glass of brandy and water.
"Hot with!" shouted a manly voice from the eating-room, and Adeliza was pained to think that in her presence her lover could eat so well.
He ate indeed as if he had never eaten before: here is the bill as written by Mrs. Grampus herself.
| "Two lobsters at 3s. 6d. | 7s. | 0d. | |
| Sallit | 1 | 3 | |
| 2 Bottils Doubling Stott | 2 | 4 | |
| 11 Doz. Best natifs | 7 | 4 | |
| 14 Pads of Botter | 1 | 2 | |
| 4 Glasses B & W. | 4 | 0 | |
| Bredd (love & ½) | 1 | 2 | |
| Brakitch of tumler | 1 | 6 | |
| ———— | |||
| "To Samuel Grampus, | 1 | 5 | 9 |
| "At the Mermaid in Cheapside. | |||