“They are all very well.”
“They’re a happy family, aren’t they? It always does me good to spend a day or two with Tom. He has the very best nature in the world.”
Here my fat friend entered. How the fool stared at me! I thought there must be something extraordinary in my appearance, and under that impression, got up, after he had left the room, and looked at myself in the glass.
“Oh, don’t mind being a little sunburnt,” called out my uncle, who mistook my object. “I like men well tanned.”
“Indeed,” said I, “I was looking to see what there could be in my face to cause your man to stare at me.”
“Did he? Pray don’t mind him. He’s an Irishman and a faithful fellow, though not a smart waiter. I keep him for his wit, which is sometimes first-rate. He came to me with a high character out of Lord Lavender’s family. Every Hibernian must be forgiven something. You know what Burke said: ‘All Irishmen carry a bit of potato in their heads.’”
Just then the man returned. He fixed his little black eyes on me as he handed me the foaming draught, and for the life of me I couldn’t help bursting into a laugh when, on quitting the room, he stared at me intently, whilst he slowly closed the door.
“That has refreshed you, hasn’t it?” said my uncle.
“Yes, thank you. By the way, I must ask you not to be surprised or shocked if you catch me drinking more brandy than may seem good for me whilst I am with you. I don’t possess my father’s iron nerves, and have a foreboding that I shall stand in need of strong stimulants to sustain me.”
“What now, Charlie?”