The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHRY CLINKER 83
with gold cording, a cut bob, a decent blue jacket, leather breeches,
and a clean linen shirt, puffed above the waist-band. When we
arrived at the castle on Spin-hill, where we lay, this new postilion
was remarkably assiduous, in bringing in the loose parcels; and,
at length, displayed the individual countenance of Humphry
Clinker, who had metamorphosed himself in this manner, by
relieving from pawn part of his own clothes, with the money he
had received from Mr. Bramble.
Howsoever pleased the rest of the company were with such a
favourable change in the appearance of this poor creature, it soured
on the stomach of Mrs. Tabby, who had not yet digested the affront
of his naked skin—She tossed her nose in disdain, saying she sup-
posed her brother had taken him into favour, because he had
insulted her with his obscenity: that a fool and his money were
soon parted; but that if Matt intended to take the fellow with him
to London, she would not go a foot further that way—My uncle
said nothing with his tongue, though his looks were sufficiently
expressive; and next morning Clinker did not appear, so that we
proceeded without further altercation to Salt-hill, where we pro-
posed to dine—There, the first person that came to the side of the
coach, and began to adjust the foot-board, was no other than
Humphry Clinker—When I handed out Mrs. Bramble, she eyed
him with a furious look, and passed into the house—My uncle was
embarrassed, and asked him peevishly, what had brought him
hither? The fellow said, his honour had been so good to him, that
he had not the heart to part with him; that he would follow him to
the world’s end, and serve him all the days of his life, without fee
or reward—
Mr. Bramble did not know whether to chide or laugh at this
declaration—He foresaw much contradiction on the side of Tabby;
and, on the other hand, he could not but be pleased with the grati-
tude of Clinker, as well as with the simplicity of his character—
‘Suppose I was inclined to take you into my service, (said he) what
are your qualifications? what are you good for?’ ‘An please your
honour, (answered this original) I can read and write, and do the
business of the stable indifferent well—I can dress a horse, and
shoe him, and bleed and rowel him; and, as for the practice of sow-
gelding, I won’t turn my back on e’er a he in the county of Wilts—
Then I can make hog’s-puddings and hob-nails, mend kettles, and
tin saucepans—’ Here uncle burst out a-laughing; and enquired,