12 DINNER. 



we were to discuss the promised meal, 

 while looking round to discover something 

 like one ; but all I had in reply was, 

 "Never mind, young man, come along 

 with me." Entering the house, and as- 

 cending from the ground floor, which 

 seemed occupied by a noisy and not very 

 sweet-smelling community, we found a 

 room fronting the street, rather bare of 

 furniture, but very clean, having a table 

 very neatly spread, and disclosing nothing 

 objectionable to a man intent on chiefly 

 and primarily satisfying his appetite. 

 The dinner was served, and there was no 

 necessity for asking me if it were to my 

 taste. 



We were waited on by a tall ma- 

 tronly-looking woman, about the age of 

 forty. The remains of beauty, faded 

 like her dress, hung about her, and 

 there was a taciturnity in her manner 

 very uncommon in females who occupy 

 the position of either mistress or maid 



