CHAPTER V.
I MIX IN THE HIGH POLITICAL
I was very mystified by the manner of my papa.
When I tripped into his presence, I was met with
that wonderful sweet politeness that was so much
in the marrow of the man that at his decease a tale
was put about in town that his death was delayed
ten minutes by the elaborate courtesies with which
he introduced himself to the Old Gentleman's attention.
Having paid me a compliment or two and discovered the good condition of my shoulder, he congratulated me on that fact, and then took a chair with such comical solemnity that I burst into laughing at the picture that he made.
"Mr. J. P.," says I, "that's excellent. Mr. Custos Rutulorum, my devoir to you! And I am sure your worship hath only to strike that attitude at the Petty Sessions to reform every poacher in the shire."
I rose and swept three curtseys at him, but he sat more serious than ever.
"Bab," says he, "there hath been an accident; and, my dear child, I would have given much to have prevented it."
