Mr. Benjamin Bobbin. 131 



about to put into his mouth. In came the footman, bear- 

 ing a card on a silver salver. 



'^ Come to see the 'ouse and grounds, sir," said the man, 

 handing the card to his master. 



The Colonel, taking it up and glancing at it, found 

 printed thereon — 



MR. BENJAMIN BOBBIN, J.P., 

 HOLLYHOCK HOUSE, 



BIRMINGHAM. 



'^Show him in," said the Colonel, and in another 

 minute the servant re-entered the dining-room, ushering 

 in Mr. Benjamin Bobbin, and, bows being exchanged, the 

 two proceeded to business. 



" First of all you must be hungry and thirsty after 

 your railway journey. Won't you take anything ? " said 

 the host. 



'^Thankee, sir," replied Mr. Bobbin, " I think I z£;/7/pick 

 a bit, if you've no objection, for, to tell you the truth, the 

 drive in the fresh morning hair has made me uncommon 

 peckish — -downright hungry, in fact. But don't order 

 hanythink 'ot. No, pray don't! A bit of cold partridge, 

 and a mossel of that fine-looking 'am I see on the 

 sideboard yonder '11 just do me, thankee, and, if it's 

 'andy, I shouldn't mind a glass or two of Shammy, 

 just to wash it down, yer know. (Mr. Bobbin had an idea 

 that it was quite what he called the '' cheese " in polite 

 society to drink champagne on all occasions.) 



" Certainly," said his host, smiling. '' Bring a bottle 

 of champagne," said he to the butler. 



K- 2 



