Sir, said the good man, I wish you’d walk down.  The servants’ rooms, and the working-rooms, are up those stairs, and another pair; and nobody’s there that you want.

Shall I go up, and see if Miss Harlowe be there, Mrs. Smith?

You may, Sir, if you please.

Then I won’t; for, if she was, you would not be so obliging.

I am ashamed to give you all this attendance:  you are the politest traders I ever knew.  Honest Joseph, slapping him upon the shoulders on a sudden, which made him jump, didst ever grin for a wager, man?—­for the rascal seemed not displeased with me; and, cracking his flat face from ear to ear, with a distended mouth, showed his teeth, as broad and as black as his thumb-nails.—­But don’t I hinder thee?  What canst earn a-day, man?

Half-a-crown I can earn a-day; with an air of pride and petulance, at being startled.

There then is a day’s wages for thee.  But thou needest not attend me farther.

Come, Mrs. Smith, come John, (Master Smith I should say,) let’s walk down, and give me an account where the lady is gone, and when she will return.

So down stairs led I. John and Joseph (thought I had discharged the latter,) and my dame, following me, to show their complaisance to a stranger.

I re-entered one of the first-floor rooms.  I have a great mind to be your lodger:  for I never saw such obliging folks in my life.  What rooms have you to let?

None at all, Sir.

I am sorry for that.  But whose is this?

Mine, Sir, chuffily said John.

Thine, man! why then I will take it of thee.  This, and a bed-chamber, and a garret for one servant, will content me.  I will give thee thine own price, and half a guinea a day over, for those conveniencies.

For ten guineas a day, Sir—­

Hold, John! (Master Smith I should say)—­Before thou speakest, consider—­
I won’t be affronted, man.

Sir, I wish you’d walk down, said the good woman.  Really, Sir, you take—­

Great liberties I hope you would not say, Mrs. Smith?

Indeed, Sir, I was going to say something like it.

Well, then, I am glad I prevented you; for such words better become my mouth than yours.  But I must lodge with you till the lady returns.  I believe I must.  However, you may be wanted in the shop; so we’ll talk that over there.

Down I went, they paying diligent attendance on my steps.

When I came into the shop, seeing no chair or stool, I went behind the compter, and sat down under an arched kind of canopy of carved work, which these proud traders, emulating the royal niche-fillers, often give themselves, while a joint-stool, perhaps, serves those by whom they get their bread:  such is the dignity of trade in this mercantile nation!

I looked about me, and above me; and told them I was very proud of my seat; asking, if John were ever permitted to fill this superb niche?