The Friends of
Charity, half-a-guinea. The Friends of Mercy, half-a-guinea. The
Associated Rememberers of Bloody Mary, half-a-guinea. The United
Bulldogs, half-a-guinea."'
'The United Bulldogs,' said Lord George, biting his nails most horribly,
'are a new society, are they not?'
'Formerly the 'Prentice Knights, my lord. The indentures of the old
members expiring by degrees, they changed their name, it seems, though
they still have 'prentices among them, as well as workmen.'
'What is their president's name?' inquired Lord George.
'President,' said Gashford, reading, 'Mr Simon Tappertit.'
'I remember him. The little man, who sometimes brings an elderly sister
to our meetings, and sometimes another female too, who is conscientious,
I have no doubt, but not well-favoured?'
'The very same, my lord.'
'Tappertit is an earnest man,' said Lord George, thoughtfully. 'Eh,
Gashford?'
'One of the foremost among them all, my lord. He snuffs the battle from
afar, like the war-horse. He throws his hat up in the street as if he
were inspired, and makes most stirring speeches from the shoulders of
his friends.'
'Make a note of Tappertit,' said Lord George Gordon.
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