There was a sudden silence which lasted about a minute, and was broken by a voice within, asking who was there.

Tomlinson answered by some cabalistic word; the door was opened, and a little boy presented himself.
"Well, my lad," said Augustus, "and how is your master?
Stout and hearty, if I may judge by his voice." "Ay, Master Tommy, ay, he's boosing away at a fine rate, in the back-parlour, with Mr.Pepper and Fighting Attie, and half-a-score more of them.

He'll be woundy glad to see you, I'll be bound." "Show this gentleman into the bar," rejoined Augustus, "while I go and pay my respects to honest Geordie." The boy made a sort of a bow, and leading our hero into the bar, consigned him to the care of Sal, a buxom barmaid, who reflected credit on the taste of the landlord, and who received Paul with marked distinction and a gill of brandy.
Paul had not long to play the amiable, before Tomlinson rejoined him with the information that Gentleman George would be most happy to see him in the back-parlour, and that he would there find an old friend in the person of Mr.Pepper.
"What! is he here ?" cried Paul.

"The sorry knave, to let me be caged in his stead!" "Gently, gently; no misapplication of terms!" said Augustus.

"That was not knavery; that was prudence, the greatest of all virtues, and the rarest.