Upon these were laid knives and forks for six or eight people.

Some of the knife handles were green, others red, and a few yellow; and as all the forks were black, the combination of colours was exceedingly striking.

Plates for a corresponding number of guests were warming behind the fender; and the guests themselves were warming before it: the chief and most important of whom appeared to be a stoutish gentleman in a bright crimson coat with long tails, vividly red breeches, and a cocked hat, who was standing with his back to the fire, and had apparently just entered, for besides retaining his cocked hat on his head, he carried in his hand a high stick, such as gentlemen of his profession usually elevate in a sloping position over the roofs of carriages.
'Smauker, my lad, your fin,' said the gentleman with the cocked hat.
Mr.Smauker dovetailed the top joint of his right-hand little finger into that of the gentleman with the cocked hat, and said he was charmed to see him looking so well.
'Well, they tell me I am looking pretty blooming,' said the man with the cocked hat, 'and it's a wonder, too.

I've been following our old woman about, two hours a day, for the last fortnight; and if a constant contemplation of the manner in which she hooks-and-eyes that infernal lavender-coloured old gown of hers behind, isn't enough to throw anybody into a low state of despondency for life, stop my quarter's salary.' At this, the assembled selections laughed very heartily; and one gentleman in a yellow waistcoat, with a coach-trimming border, whispered a neighbour in green-foil smalls, that Tuckle was in spirits to-night.
'By the bye,' said Mr.Tuckle, 'Smauker, my boy, you--' The remainder of the sentence was forwarded into Mr.John Smauker's ear, by whisper.
'Oh, dear me, I quite forgot,' said Mr.John Smauker.

'Gentlemen, my friend Mr.Weller.' 'Sorry to keep the fire off you, Weller,' said Mr.Tuckle, with a familiar nod.