CHAPTER XVI. 



HEIGHT OF THE FEVER. 



While this cage of Grey Shanghaes stood for, an hour 

 or two in the express-office of Adams & Co., in Boston, a 

 servant came from the Revere House to inform me that " a 

 gentleman desired to see me there, about some poultry." 



As I never had had occasion to run round much after my 

 customers, and, moreover, as I felt that the dignity of the 

 business — (the dignity of the hen-trade !) — might possi- 

 bly be compromised by my responding in person to this 

 summons, I directed the servant to " say to the gentleman, 

 if he -wished to see me, that I should be at my office. No. 

 26 Washington-street, for a couple of hours, — after that, 

 at my residence in Melrose." 



The man retired, and half an hour afterwards a car- 

 riage stopped before my office-door. The gentleman was 

 inside. He invited me to ride with him — (I could afford 

 to ride with him) — to Adams & Co.'s office. He had seen 

 the " Grey Shanghaes " intended for the Queen there. 



" I want that cage of fowls," he said. 



