WYLDEK'S HJl.VD.
295
"Ccme in."
And Mr. Larcom, the grave butler of Brandon, wear-
ing outside his portly person a black garment then known
as a " zephyr," a white choker and black trousers. and
well polished, but rather splay shoes, and, on the whole,
his fat and serious aspect considered, being capable of be-
ing mistaken for a church dignitary, or at least for an
eminent undertaker, entered the room with a solemn and
gentlemanlike reverence.
"Oh, Mr. i*rcom! a message, or business ?" said Mr.
Larkin, urbaneM
"Not a mes&$.>='-; only an enquiry about them few
share*," answered Ai^Jjarcom, with another serene rev-
erence, and remaining standing, hat in hand, at the door.
"Oh, yes; and how do you do, Mr. Larcom? Quite
well, I trust. Yes — about the Naunton Junction. Well,
I'm happy to tell you —but pray take a chair — that I
have succeeded, and the directors have allotted you five
shares; and it's your own fault if you do&'t make two
ten-and-six a share. The Chowsleys areftip to six and
a-half, I see here," and he pointed to the "'Times."
Mr. Larcom's fat face smiled, in spite cr n's endeavor
to keep it under. It was part of his busiiess to look al-
ways grave, and he coughed, and recover*^ ^ia gravity.
"I'm very thankful, sir," said Mr. Lrrcom> " ™rJ-"
"But do sit down, Mr. Larcom—pri1! do>" said the
attorney, who was very gracious to Ltrcom- "You'll
get the scrip, you know, on executing ^ut the shares are
allotted. They sent the notice for,-,u here- Al>d — and
how are the family at Brandon*" a11 well> 1 trust?"
Mr. Larcom blew his nos<'
"All, sir, well."
"And —and let me^lve yo" a glass of sherry, Mr.
Larcom, aftp ■> "ar VttlK' 1 can>t compete with the Bran-