The people of the inn were very sorry on being informed of my determination to depart.Old Bill told me that he had hoped as how I had intended to settle down there, and to take his place as ostler when he was fit for no more work, adding, that though I did not know much of the business, yet he had no doubt but that I might improve.My friend the postillion was particularly sorry, and taking me with him to the tap-room called for two pints of beer, to one of which he treated me; and whilst we were drinking told me how particularly sorry he was at the thought of my going, but that he hoped Ishould think better of the matter.On my telling him that Imust go, he said that he trusted I should put off my departure for three weeks, in order that I might be present at his marriage, the banns of which were just about to be published.He said that nothing would give him greater pleasure than to see me dance a minuet with his wife after the marriage dinner; but I told him it was impossible that Ishould stay, my affairs imperatively calling me elsewhere;and that with respect to my dancing a minuet, such a thing was out of the question, as I had never learned to dance.At which he said that he was exceedingly sorry, and finding me determined to go, wished me success in all my undertakings.
The master of the house, to whom, as in duty bound, Icommunicated my intention before I spoke of it to the servants, was, I make no doubt, very sorry, though he did not exactly tell me so.What he said was, that he had never expected that I should remain long there, as such a situation never appeared to him quite suitable to me, though I had been very diligent, and had given him perfect satisfaction.On his inquiring when I intended to depart, I informed him next day, whereupon he begged that I would defer my departure till the next day but one, and do him the favour of dining with him on the morrow.I informed him that I should be only too happy.
On the following day at four o'clock I dined with the landlord, in company with a commercial traveller.The dinner was good, though plain, consisting of boiled mackerel -rather a rarity in those parts at that time - with fennel sauce, a prime baron of roast beef after the mackerel, then a tart and noble Cheshire cheese; we had prime sherry at dinner, and whilst eating the cheese prime porter, that of Barclay, the only good porter in the world.After the cloth was removed we had a bottle of very good port; and whilst partaking of the port I had an argument with the commercial traveller on the subject of the corn-laws.
The commercial traveller, having worsted me in the argument on the subject of the corn-laws, got up in great glee, saying that he must order his gig, as business must be attended to.
Before leaving the room, however, he shook me patronizingly by the hand, and said something to the master of the house, but in so low a tone that it escaped my ear.
