I found myself being led through the crush of people, by an old gentleman, to whom I must have related an extraordinary rigmarole.  He shook his head, saying that I was unintelligible; but the questions he put to me, ’Why had I no hat on in the open street?—­Where did my mother live?—­What was I doing out alone in London?’ were so many incitements to autobiographical composition to an infant mind, and I tumbled out my history afresh each time that he spoke.  He led me into a square, stooping his head to listen all the while; but when I perceived that we had quitted the region of shops I made myself quite intelligible by stopping short and crying:  ‘I am so hungry.’  He nodded and said, ’It ’s no use cross-examining an empty stomach.  You’ll do me the favour to dine with me, my little man.  We’ll talk over your affairs by-and-by.’

My alarm at having left the savoury street of shops was not soothed until I found myself sitting at table with him, and a nice young lady, and an old one who wore a cap, and made loud remarks on my garments and everything I did.  I was introduced to them as the little boy dropped from the sky.  The old gentleman would not allow me to be questioned before I had eaten.  It was a memorable feast.  I had soup, fish, meat, and pastry, and, for the first time in my life, a glass of wine.  How they laughed to see me blink and cough after I had swallowed half the glass like water.  At once my tongue was unloosed.  I seemed to rise right above the roofs of London, beneath which I had been but a wandering atom a few minutes ago.  I talked of my wonderful father, and Great Will, and Pitt, and the Peerage.  I amazed them with my knowledge.  When I finished a long recital of Great Will’s chase of the deer, by saying that I did not care about politics (I meant, in my own mind, that Pitt was dull in comparison), they laughed enormously, as if I had fired them off.  ’Do you know what you are, sir?’ said the old gentleman; he had frowning eyebrows and a merry mouth ‘you’re a comical character.’

I felt interested in him, and asked him what he was.  He informed me that he was a lawyer, and ready to be pantaloon to my clown, if I would engage him.

‘Are you in the Peerage?’ said I.

‘Not yet,’ he replied.

‘Well, then,’ said I, ‘I know nothing about you.’

The young lady screamed with laughter.  ’Oh, you funny little boy; you killing little creature!’ she said, and coming round to me, lifted me out of my chair, and wanted to know if I knew how to kiss.

‘Oh, yes; I’ve been taught that,’ said I, giving the salute without waiting for the invitation; ‘but,’ I added, ‘I don’t care about it much.’

She was indignant, and told me she was going to be offended, so I let her understand that I liked being kissed and played with in the morning before I was up, and if she would come to my house ever so early, she would find me lying next the wall and ready for her.