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36 A SHABBY GENTEEL STORY
tinued the lady in the same shrill voice. "Mamma wants the
pudding !"
" TELL HER TO FETCH IT HERSELF !" roared Becky, at which
remark Gann and his facetious friend once more went off into fits of
laughter.
" This is too bad !" said Mrs. G., starting up ; " she shall leave
the house this instant !" and so no doubt Becky would, but that
the lady owed her five quarters' wages ; which she, at that period,
did not feel inclined to pay.
Well, the dinner at last was at an end ; the ladies went away
to tea, leaving the gentlemen to their wine; Brandon, very condescendingly,
partaking of a bottle of port, and listening with
admiration to the toasts and sentiments with which it is still the
custom among persons of Mr. Gann's rank of life to preface each
glass of wine. As thus :—
Glass 1. "Gents," says Mr. Gann, rising, "this glass I need
say nothink about. Here's the King, and long life to him and the
family !"
Mr. Swigby, with his glass, goes knock, knock, knock on the
table ; and saying gravely, " The King !" drinks off his glass and
smacks his lips afterwards.
Mr. Brandon, who had drunk half his, stops in the midst and
says, "Oh, 'The King !' "
Mr. Swigby. " A good glass of wine that, Gann my boy !"
Mr. Brandon. "Capital, really ; though, upon my faith, I'm
no judge of port."
Mr. Gann (smacks). " A fine fruity wine as ever I tasted. I
suppose you, Mr. B., are accustomed only to claret. I've 'ad it,
too, in my time, sir, as Swigby there very well knows. I travelled,
sir, sure le Continong, I assure you, and drank my glass of claret
with the best man in France, or England either. I wasn't always
what I am, sir."
Mr. Brandon. " You don't look as if you were."
Mr. Gann. "No, sir. Before that _______ gas came in, I was
head, sir, of one the fust 'ouses in the hoil-trade, Gann, Blubbery and
Gann, sir—Thames Street, City. I'd my box at Putney, as good a
gig and horse as my friend there drives."
Mr. Swigby. " Ay, and a better too, Gann, I make no doubt."
Mr. Gann. "Well, say a better. I had a better, if money
could fetch it, sir ; and I didn't spare that, I warrant you. No,
no, James Gann didn't grudge his purse, sir ; and had his friends
around him, as he's 'appy to 'ave now, sir. Mr. Brandon, your
'ealth, sir, and may we hoften meet under this ma'ogany. Swigby
my boy, God bless you !"