And he flung open the door and entered with the most severe and warlike expression, armed cap-a-pie as it were, with lance couched and plumes displayed, and glancing at his adversary, as if to say, "Come on, I'm ready." The old man of the world, as he surveyed the boy's demeanour, could hardly help a grin at his admirable pompous simplicity.

Major Pendennis too had examined his ground; and finding that the widow was already half won over to the enemy, and having a shrewd notion that threats and tragic exhortations would have no effect upon the boy, who was inclined to be perfectly stubborn and awfully serious, the Major laid aside the authoritative manner at once, and with the most good-humoured natural smile in the world, held out his hands to Pen, shook the lad's passive fingers gaily, and said, "Well, Pen, my boy, tell us all about it." Helen was delighted with the generosity of the Major's good-humour.
On the contrary, it quite took aback and disappointed poor Pen, whose nerves were strung up for a tragedy, and who felt that his grand entree was altogether baulked and ludicrous.

He blushed and winced with mortified vanity and bewilderment.

He felt immensely inclined to begin to cry--"I--I--I didn't know that you were come till just now," he said: "is--is--town very full, I suppose ?" If Pen could hardly gulp his tears down, it was all the Major could do to keep from laughter.

He turned round and shot a comical glance at Mrs.Pendennis, who too felt that the scene was at once ridiculous and sentimental.