City Sketches. 581 



'* Well-, where is this man ?" demanded old Blunt. 

 "Oh! you'll find him in there, Sir, and a precious rascal he is," 

 cried Shark. " Good morning-, Mr.'Blunl." 



" I was unable to attend your meeting to-day," said Blunt gruffly, 

 how did it go off? but you need riot tell me. Mr. Shark was there, 

 I suppose." 



" He was, Sir." 



" Then what business has he here ?" 



Hereupon Walton, who felt at the moment that even old Blunt, 

 as a confidant, would be a relief to his feelings, detailed the visits of 

 his three creditors, and the conditions they had severally proposed to 

 him. 



" Um ! ah !" said Blunt, " wise men, you perceive, Mr. Walton, 

 men of the World men who look after their families. But where 

 are your books? I mean to look over them strictly, I can promise 

 you; so, if you have anywhere to go for a couple of hours, you may 

 leave me here." 



Walton, having laid before the old gentleman his books and balance 

 sheet, left him to himself, and returned at the time specified. 



Old Blunt had just closed the books, and was wiping his spectacles. 



" I hope," said Walton, " you have found every thing satisfactory, 

 considering the unfortunate position in which I am placed." 



" Um well, I don't know," returned Blunt with subdued gruffness, 

 " I'll think about it. Where is your wife ? is she up stairs ? I'll just 



fo and see her and the children. There, now, you need'nt move : 

 know the way." 



In about an hour old Blunt again entered the counting-house. 



" Well," said he, " I shall be at the meeting to-morrow morning 

 without fail." 



" I am glad of that," said Walton, and he mentioned the suspicion 

 of collusion which had been thrown out. 



" Collusion ? not a very likely thing, Walton, eh ? but come, good- 

 bye, give us your hand ; what are you loitering about? give us your 

 hand, there. Your dinner's ready up stairs ; go and eat it, and keep 

 up your spirits, good-bye ;" and the old gentleman hobbled away, 

 leaving Walton no less affected than surprised by the unwonted 

 kindness of his father-in-law. 



Punctual as Walton contrived to be on the following day, and as, 

 in point of fact, he had been on the previous morning, he found his 

 creditors in the great room at the Baptist's Head before him. A 

 solemn stillness reigned for some time, a silence which was only 

 broken by the abrupt entrance of old Blunt. 



" Gentlemen," said he, " I perceive you have not yet commenced 

 proceedings. I wish to say a few words, which I may as well say at 

 once. Mr. Walton tells me that a hint was thrown out yesterday, 

 that there was a collusion between him and myself." 



" Something of the kind was dropt inadvertently, certainly, said 

 one of the creditors, but we at this end of the room are quite satisfied 

 that there is no foundation for it. We only hope there may be as 

 little foundation for the fear expressed by Mr. Walton that you were 

 unfriendly to him." 



