Mr Tappertit glanced at the article referred to, and appeared tothink that the deceased"s ideas of dress were of a peculiar and byno means an expensive kind. He made no remark upon the point,however, and suffered his mysterious companion to proceed withoutinterruption.
"These smalls," said Dennis, rubbing his legs; "these very smalls-theybelonged to a friend of mine that"s left off sich incumbrancesfor ever: this coat too--I"ve often walked behind this coat, in thestreet, and wondered whether it would ever come to me: this pair ofshoes have danced a hornpipe for another man, afore my eyes, fullhalf-a-dozen times at least: and as to my hat," he said, taking itoff, and whirling it round upon his fist--"Lord! I"ve seen this hatgo up Holborn on the box of a hackney-coach--ah, many and many aday!"
"You don"t mean to say their old wearers are ALL dead, I hope?"
said Mr Tappertit, falling a little distance from him as he spoke.
"Every one of "em," replied Dennis. "Every man Jack!"
There was something so very ghastly in this circumstance, and itappeared to account, in such a very strange and dismal manner, forhis faded dress--which, in this new aspect, seemed discoloured bythe earth from graves--that Mr Tappertit abruptly found he wasgoing another way, and, stopping short, bade him good night withthe utmost heartiness. As they happened to be near the Old Bailey,and Mr Dennis knew there were turnkeys in the lodge with whom hecould pass the night, and discuss professional subjects of commoninterest among them before a rousing fire, and over a social glass,he separated from his companions without any great regret, andwarmly shaking hands with Hugh, and making an early appointment fortheir meeting at The Boot, left them to pursue their road.
"That"s a strange sort of man," said Mr Tappertit, watching thehackney-coachman"s hat as it went bobbing down the street. "Idon"t know what to make of him. Why can"t he have his smalls madeto order, or wear live clothes at any rate?"
"He"s a lucky man, captain," cried Hugh. "I should like to havesuch friends as his."
"I hope he don"t get "em to make their wills, and then knock "em onthe head," said Mr Tappertit, musing. "But come. The United B."sexpect me. On!--What"s the matter?"
"I quite forgot," said Hugh, who had started at the striking of aneighbouring clock. "I have somebody to see to-night--I must turnback directly. The drinking and singing put it out of my head.
It"s well I remembered it!"
Mr Tappertit looked at him as though he were about to giveutterance to some very majestic sentiments in reference to this actof desertion, but as it was clear, from Hugh"s hasty manner, thatthe engagement was one of a pressing nature, he graciously forbore,and gave him his permission to depart immediately, which Hughacknowledged with a roar of laughter.
"Good night, captain!" he cried. "I am yours to the death,remember!"
"Farewell!" said Mr Tappertit, waving his hand. "Be bold andvigilant!"
"No Popery, captain!" roared Hugh.
"England in blood first!" cried his desperate leader. Whereat Hughcheered and laughed, and ran off like a greyhound.
"That man will prove a credit to my corps," said Simon, turningthoughtfully upon his heel. "And let me see. In an altered stateof society--which must ensue if we break out and are victorious-whenthe locksmith"s child is mine, Miggs must be got rid ofsomehow, or she"ll poison the tea-kettle one evening when I"m out.
He might marry Miggs, if he was drunk enough. It shall be done.
I"ll make a note of it."