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Oh, thank you, my lord, replied Springey, with a shake of his curly head; thank you, my lord; no new babbies, my lord, with wheat below forty, my lord. Well, but youve got a pair of new boots, at all events, observed his lordship, eyeing Springwheats refractory calves bagging over the tops of them. Deed have I! replied Springwheat; and a pair of uncommon awkward tight customers they are, added he, trying to move his feet about in them. Ah! you should always have a chap to wear your boots a few times before you put them on yourself, observed his lordship. I never have a pair of tight uns, added he; Jack here always does the needful by mine. Thats all very well for lords, replied Mr Springwheat; but us farmers wear out our boots fast enough ourselves, without anybody to help us. Well, but I spose we may as well fall to, observed his lordship, casting his eye upon the well-garnished table. All these good things are meant to eat, I spose, added he: cakes, and sweets, and jellies without end: and as to your sideboard, said he, turning round and looking at it, its a match for any Lord Mayors. A round of beef, a ham, a tongue, and is that a goose or a turkey? A turkey, my lord, replied Springwheat; home-fed, my lord. Ah, home-fed, indeed! ejaculated his lordship, with a shake of the head: home-fed: wish I could feed at home. The man who said that Een from the peasant to the lord, told a big un, for Im sure none ever smokes on mine. Take a little here today, then, observed Mr Springwheat, cutting deep into the white breast. I will, replied his lordship, I will; and a slice of tongue, too, added he. There are some hot sausingers comin, observed Mr Springwheat. You dont say so, replied his lordship, apparently thunderstruck at the announcement. Well, I must have all three. By Jove, Jack! said he, appealing to his friend, but youve lit on your legs coming here. Heres a breakfast fit to set before the Queen -- muffins, and crumpets, and cakes. Let me advise you to make the best use of your time, for you have but twenty minutes, continued his lordship, looking at his watch, and muffins and crumpets dont come in your way every day. Deed they dont, replied Jack, with a grin. Will your lordship take tea or coffee? asked Mrs Springwheat, who had now taken her seat at the top of the table, behind a richly chased equipage for the distribution of those beverages. Pon my word, replied his lordship, apparently bewildered -- pon my word, I dont know what to say. Tea or coffee? To tell you the truth, I was going to take something out of my black friend yonder, nodding to where a French bottle like a tall bully was lifting its head above an encircling stand of liqueur-glasses. Suppose you have a little of what we call laced tea, my lord -- tea with a dash of brandy in it? suggested Mr Springwheat. Laced tea, repeated his lordship; laced tea: so I will, said he. Deuced good idea -- deuced good idea, continued he, bringing the bottle, and seating himself on Mrs Springwheats right, while his host helped |
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