Now then Mrs.Copperas prepared the tea, which she did in the approved method adopted by all ladies to whom economy is dearer than renown, namely, the least possible quantity of the soi-disant Chinese plant was first sprinkled by the least possible quantity of hot water; after this mixture had become as black and as bitter as it could possibly be without any adjunct from the apothecary's skill, it was suddenly drenched with a copious diffusion, and as suddenly poured forth--weak, washy, and abominable,--into four cups, severally appertaining unto the four partakers of the matutinal nectar.
Then the conversation began to flow.

Mrs.Copperas was a fine lady, and a sentimentalist,--very observant of the little niceties of phrase and manner.

Mr.Copperas was a stock-jobber and a wit,--loved a good hit in each capacity; was very round, very short, and very much like a John Dory; and saw in the features and mind of the little Copperas the exact representative of himself.
"Adolphus, my love," said Mrs.Copperas, "mind what I told you, and sit upright.

Mr.Linden, will you allow me to cut you a leetle piece of this roll ?" "Thank you," said Clarence, "I will trouble you rather for the whole of it." Conceive Mrs.Copperas's dismay! From that moment she saw herself eaten out of house and home; besides, as she afterwards observed to her friend Miss Barbara York, the "vulgarity of such an amazing appetite!" "Any commands in the city, Mr.Linden ?" asked the husband; "a coach will pass by our door in a few minutes,--must be on 'Change in half an hour.
Come, my love, another cup of tea; make haste; I have scarcely a moment to take my fare for the inside, before coachee takes his for the outside.

Ha! ha! ha! Mr.Linden." "Lord, Mr.Copperas," said his helpmate, "how can you be so silly?
setting such an example to your son, too; never mind him, Adolphus, my love; fie, child! a'n't you ashamed of yourself?
never put the spoon in your cup till you have done tea: I must really send you to school to learn manners.