80 STAPLE FARE. 



good-humouredly. " Well, that must 

 do." 



The landlady disappeared to give the 

 necessary orders. 



"The staple commodity here, sir," con- 

 tinued he, in the same strain, but address- 

 ing me ; "I have used this house five-and- 

 twenty years and never had any other an- 

 swer. 



" YouVe not dined, have you ? " added 

 he, with all the manner of an old ac- - 

 quaintance. 



"No, I was about to partake of the same 

 fare." 



" Then we'll dine together. Dick," cried 

 he to the waiter, "lay the cloth for 

 two." 



"Where, sir?" 



"In the best room in the house, to be 

 sure. My wine, remember." 



"Yes, sir." 



" I am obliged to be particular," he ob- 



