"I don't see anything queer in it. He ain't one of that sort. Do you go on." Mr. Waddle knew nothing of the hundred pounds, nor did he know that Ralph Newton had,--twice drank tea at Hendon. On both occasions Mrs. Neefit had declared that if ever she saw a gentleman, Mr. Newton was a gentleman; and Miss Neefit, though her words had been very few, had evidently approved of Mr. Newton's manners. Now Miss Neefit was a beauty and an heiress. Mr. Waddle had hardly been silenced, and had just retired with melancholy diligence amidst the records of unsatisfactory commercial transactions, before Ralph Newton again entered the shop. He shook hands with Mr. Neefit,--as was the practice with many favourite customers,--and immediately went to work in regard to his new order, as though every Christmas and every Midsummer saw an account closed on his behalf in Mr. Neefit's books. "I did say just now, when I found you were out, that last year's lines would do; but it may be, you know, that I'm running a little to flesh." "We can't be too particular, Mr. Newton," said the master. "It's all for your sake that I come," said the young sportsman, walking into the little room, while Mr. Neefit followed with his scraps of paper and tapes, and Waddle followed him to write down the figures. "I don't care much how they look myself." "Oh, Mr. Newton!" "I shouldn't like 'em to wrinkle inside the knee, you know." "That isn't likely with us, I hope, Mr. Newton." "And I own I do like to be able to get into them." "We don't give much trouble in that way, Mr. Newton." "But the fact is I have such trust in you and the silent gentleman out there, that I believe you would fit me for the next twenty years, though you were never to see me." "Oh, thank you, Mr. Newton,--2, 4, and 1/8th, Waddle. I think Mr. Newton is a little stouter. But, perhaps, you may work that off before November, Mr. Newton. Thank you, Mr. Newton;--I think that'll do. You'll find we shan't be far wrong. Three pair, Mr. Newton?" "Yes;--I think three pair will see me through next season. I don't suppose I shall hunt above four days, and I have some by me." Some by him! There must be drawers full of them,--presses full of them, chests full of them! Waddle, the melancholy and suspicious Waddle, was sure that their customer was playing them false,--raising money on the garments as soon as they were sent to him; but he did not dare to say anything of this after the snubbing which he had already received. If old Neefit chose to be done by a dishonest young man it was nothing to him. But in truth Waddle did not understand men as well as did his master;--and then he knew nothing of his master's ambitious hopes. "The bishops came out very strong last night;--didn't they?" said Ralph, in the outer shop. "Very strong, indeed, Mr. Newton;--very strong." "But, after all, they're nothing but a pack of old women." "That's about what they are, Mr. Newton." "Not but what we must have a Church, I suppose."