"I don't mind if I do. I've a girl. You remember little Netty? She's walking out on the beach with a young fellow named Fellingham, whose acquaintance we made on the voyage, and has n't left us long to ourselves. Will you have her as well? And I suppose you must ask him. He's a newspaper man; been round the world; seen a lot." Tinman hesitated. An electrical idea of putting sherry at fifteen shillings per dozen on his table instead of the ceremonial wine at twenty-five shillings, assisted him to say hospitably, "Oh! ah! yes; any friend of yours." "And now perhaps you'll shake my fist," said Van Diemen. "With pleasure," said Tinman. "It was your change of name, you know, Philip." Look here, Martin. Van Diemen Smith was a convict, and my benefactor. Why the deuce he was so fond of that name, I can't tell you; but his dying wish was for me to take it and carry it on. He left me his fortune, for Van Diemen Smith to enjoy life, as he never did, poor fellow, when he was alive. The money was got honestly, by hard labour at a store. He did evil once, and repented after. But, by Heaven!"--Van Diemen jumped up and thundered out of a broad chest--"the man was one of the finest hearts that ever beat. He was! and I'm proud of him. When he died, I turned my thoughts home to Old England and you, Martin." "Oh!" said Tinman; and reminded by Van Diemen's way of speaking, that cordiality was expected of him, he shook his limbs to some briskness, and continued, "Well, yes, we must all die in our native land if we can. I hope you're comfortable in your lodgings?" "I'll give you one of Mrs. Crickledon's dinners to try. You're as good as mayor of this town, I hear?" "I am the bailiff of the town," said Mr. Tinman. "You're going to Court, I'm told." "The appointment," replied Mr. Tinman, "will soon be made. I have not yet an appointed day." On the great highroad of life there is Expectation, and there is Attainment, and also there is Envy. Mr. Tinman's posture stood for Attainment shadowing Expectation, and sunning itself in the glass of Envy, as he spoke of the appointed day. It was involuntary, and naturally evanescent, a momentary view of the spirit. He unbent, and begged to be excused for the present, that he might go and apprise his sister of guests coming. "All right. I daresay we shall see, enough of one another," said Van Diemen. And almost before the creak of Tinman's heels was deadened on the road outside the shop, he put the funny question to Crickledon, "Do you box?" "I make 'em," Crickledon replied. "Because I should like to have a go in at something, my friend." Van Diemen stretched and yawned. Crickledon recommended the taking of a walk. "I think I will," said the other, and turned back abruptly. "How long do you work in the day?" "Generally, all the hours of light," Crickledon replied; "and always up to supper-time." "You're healthy and happy?" "Nothing to complain of." "Good appetite?" "Pretty regular."