After supper, Hartley asked his guest if he would like to smoke, to which proposal Mr. Tankard made no sort of objection. A flask of Scotch whisky was likewise set on the table.
Scarcely were the pipes lighted, when the party was increased by the arrival of Mr. Pledger Dapp and Mr. Larkins, who it seems were expected by Hartley, though he had said nothing about them to his wife.
Pledger Dapp, a brisk little man, was a cook and confectioner in the York Road, and Larkins was a greengrocer in the same neighbourhood, and likewise went out to wait. They worked together with Mr. Tankard, and each recommended his friends whenever he had the opportunity.
More glasses were placed on the table, and more hot water, and everybody was puffing away.
The room was soon so full of smoke that Mrs. Hartley could stand it no longer, and retired to the kitchen.
A great deal of merriment prevailed among the company, and they laughed heartily at each other's stories. These related chiefly to their customers.
At last, Hartley contrived to bring Walter forward by making a direct allusion to him.
“I want to have your opinion about my young friend, gentlemen,” he observed, taking the pipe from his mouth. “He thinks of joining the cavalry, but I think it is a pity such a fine young man should throw himself away. What do you say, gentlemen?”
After a sip of whisky and water, the person chiefly appealed to replied:
“I think it would be a thousand pities. No doubt he would make a very fine Life Guardsman, but in my opinion, he would do much better as a figure footman.”