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He rode up to the door of a handsome house approached by a great flight of steps, where a man was waiting to take his horse, and led the way into a large hall, which, spacious as it was, was tainted with the fumes of last nights stale debauch. Greatcoats, riding-whips, bridles, top-boots, spurs, and such gear, were strewn about on all sides, and formed, with some huge stags antlers, and a few portraits of dogs and horses, its principal embellishments. Throwing himself into a great chair (in which, by the bye, he often snored away the night, when he had been, according to his admirers, a finer country gentleman than usual) he bade the man to tell his mistress to come down: and presently there appeared, a little flurried, as it seemed, by the unwonted summons, a lady much younger than himself, who had the appearance of being in delicate health, and not too happy. Here! Thoust no delight in following the hounds as an Englishwoman should have, said the gentleman. See to this here. Thatll please thee perhaps. The lady smiled, sat down at a little distance from him, and glanced at Barnaby with a look of pity. Hes an idiot, the woman says, observed the gentleman, shaking his head; I dont believe it. Are you his mother? asked the lady. She answered yes. Whats the use of asking her? said the gentleman, thrusting his hands into his breeches pockets. Shell tell thee so, of course. Most likely hes hired, at so much a day. There. Get on. Make him do something. Grip having by this time recovered his urbanity, condescended, at Barnabys solicitation, to repeat his various phrases of speech, and to go through the whole of his performances with the utmost success. The corks, and the never say die, afforded the gentleman so much delight that he demanded the repetition of this part of the entertainment, until Grip got into his basket, and positively refused to say another word, good or bad. The lady too, was much amused with him; and the closing point of his obstinacy so delighted her husband that he burst into a roar of laughter, and demanded his price. Barnaby looked as though he didnt understand his meaning. Probably he did not. His price, said the gentleman, rattling the money in his pockets, what dost want for him? How much? Hes not to be sold, replied Barnaby, shutting up the basket in a great hurry, and throwing the strap over his shoulder. Mother, come away. Thou seest how much of an idiot he is, book-learner, said the gentleman, looking scornfully at his wife. He can make a bargain. What dost want for him, old woman? He is my sons constant companion, said the widow. He is not to be sold, sir, indeed. Not to be sold! cried the gentleman, growing ten times redder, hoarser, and louder than before. Not to be sold! Indeed no, she answered. We have never thought of parting with him, sir, I do assure you. He was evidently about to make a very passionate retort, when a few murmured words from his wife happening to catch his ear, he turned sharply round, and said, Eh? What? We can hardly expect them to sell the bird, against their own desire, she faltered. If they prefer to keep him |
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