Master Cheese paused.  “There was nearly the whole joint left at dinner,” said he in a tone of remonstrance.

“There was a good deal of it left, and that’s the reason it’s not coming in,” replied Miss Deb.  “It will be sufficient for to-morrow’s dinner with a pudding, I’m sure it will not hurt you to sup upon cheese for one night.”

With all his propensity for bonne chere, Master Cheese was really of a modest nature, and would not go the length of demanding luxuries, if denied them by Miss Deb.  He was fain to content himself with the cheese and celery, eating so much of it that it may be a question whether the withholding of the cold pork had been a gain in point of economy.

Laying down his knife at length, he put back his chair to return to the surgery.  Generally he was not in so much haste; he liked to wait until the things were removed, even to the cloth, lest by a speedy departure he might miss some nice little dainty or other, coming in at the tail of the repast.  It is true such impromptu arrivals were not common at Miss West’s table, but Master Cheese liked to be on the sure side.

“You are in a hurry,” remarked Miss Amilly, surprised at the unwonted withdrawal.

“Jan’s out,” returned Master Cheese.  “Folks may be coming in to the surgery.”

“I wonder if Mr. Jan will be late to-night?” cried Miss Deb.

“Of course he will,” confidently replied Master Cheese.  “Who ever heard of a wedding-party breaking up before morning?”

For this reason, probably, Master Cheese returned to the surgery, prepared to “make a night of it”—­not altogether in the general acceptation of that term, but at his chemical experiments.  It was most rare that he could make sure of Jan’s absence for any length of time.  When abroad in pursuance of his professional duties, Jan might be returning at any period; in five minutes or in five hours; there was no knowing; and Master Cheese dared not get his chemical apparatus about, in the uncertainty, Jan having so positively forbidden his recreations in the science.  For this night, however, he thought he was safe.  Master Cheese’s ideas of a wedding festival consisted of unlimited feasting. He could not have left such a board, if bidden to one, until morning light, and he judged others by himself.

Jan’s bedroom was strewed with vessels of various sorts and sizes from one end of it to the other.  In the old days, Dr. West had been a considerable dabbler in experimental chemistry himself.  Jan also understood something of it.  Master Cheese did not see why he should not.  A roaring fire burned in Jan’s grate, and the young gentleman stood before it for a few minutes, previous to resuming his researches, giving his back a roast, and indulging bitter reminiscences touching his deficient supper.

“She’s getting downright mean, is that old Deb!” grumbled he; “especially if Jan happens to be out.  Wasn’t it different in West’s time!  He knew what was good, he did.  Catch her daring to put bread and cheese on the table for supper then.  I shall be quite exhausted before the night’s over.  Bob!”