30 THE INCONVENIENCES OF &C. 



ral in a newly-furnished house would make such a mess, would 

 n't it, Wadd ? I suppose you have dined ? So have I. I know 

 you are supping-people, so I dined early. Well, I'll just go and 

 make myself comfortable, and come down to you. Charming 

 house delightful distance, I declare ! " " Where can we put 

 him ?" inquired Mrs. Wadd ; " we can 't turn him out now he is 

 here." " There 's the blue bed," replied Wadd, " it has never 

 been slept in, and may require airing, in case I should want to 

 use it myself; the very thought of a damp bed makes me tremble 

 so put him into that." 



The next day was, as Mr. Wobble had sagely foretold it would 

 be, Sunday, a day of all others dearest to Rufus Wadd, who 

 liked to have his time, as indeed, he liked to have every thing 

 else to himself. But to him this " Sabbath was no day of rest." 

 The twelve o' clock coach brought Mr. and Mrs. William Wadd, 

 who apologised for not getting down in time for breakfast, the 

 distance being so short it was shameful to lose the fine of the 

 morning ; but then the one o' clock coach made ample amends 

 to the amiable host, for it brought Mr. Parkins (the currier,) and 

 his son just in time for luncheon. " The distance is so conve- 

 nient," observed the latter, " that one can calculate one's time to 

 a moment ; and then the luxury of being set down at the very 

 door !" I '11 set fire to the house thought Rufus. The next con- 

 veyance introduced Peter Wadd. " I 'm sorry your wife is not 

 with you," said Rufus, putting the best face he could on the matter, 

 yet heartily glad at seeing him solus. " You know how it is Ru- 

 fus; women are never ready; but as the distance is positively 

 not worth mentioning, I left them to come by themselves by the 

 next stage." " Them ! ! " " O ay the two Miss Praters are 

 staying with us, so we could n't do less than invite them to come 

 with us. As I said to Jane, where two can dine three can dine, 

 and besides you can make an addition to your provision with 

 so little difficulty at this charming place you are at such a con- 

 venient distance ! " 



These two or three days are types of most of those which fol- 

 lowed. Mr. Wadd saw his projects frustrated, his hopes of lei- 

 sure and retirement destroyed. He was seldom left alone, except 

 when he would have given one of his ears for society, that was when 

 it rained a deluge, and he was constrained to remain in-doors, and 

 seek amusement in beating the devil's tattoo with his fingers on 

 the plate-glass windows of his front parlour or watching the little 

 circles, made by the little rain-drops, in the little cistern wherein 

 Cupid stood. 



