'I'm glad to hear you say so.
He's very proud, sir, is your son; very haughty.'
'I am afraid he IS haughty,' said Mr Chester. 'Do you know I was really
afraid of that before; and you confirm me?'
'To recount the menial offices I've had to do for your son, sir,' said
Mr Tappertit; 'the chairs I've had to hand him, the coaches I've had to
call for him, the numerous degrading duties, wholly unconnected with
my indenters, that I've had to do for him, would fill a family Bible.
Besides which, sir, he is but a young man himself and I do not consider
"thank'ee Sim," a proper form of address on those occasions.'
'Mr Tappertit, your wisdom is beyond your years. Pray go on.'
'I thank you for your good opinion, sir,' said Sim, much gratified,
'and will endeavour so to do. Now sir, on this account (and perhaps for
another reason or two which I needn't go into) I am on your side. And
what I tell you is this--that as long as our people go backwards and
forwards, to and fro, up and down, to that there jolly old Maypole,
lettering, and messaging, and fetching and carrying, you couldn't help
your son keeping company with that young lady by deputy,--not if he was
minded night and day by all the Horse Guards, and every man of 'em in
the very fullest uniform.
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