'All ready; nobody at home.
Couldn't be better.

Ha! ha!' With this fortifying assurance, he stole past a street-door, on which Nicholas caught a glimpse of a brass plate, with 'BOBSTER,' in very large letters; and, stopping at the area-gate, which was open, signed to his young friend to descend.
'What the devil!' cried Nicholas, drawing back.

'Are we to sneak into the kitchen, as if we came after the forks ?' 'Hush!' replied Newman.

'Old Bobster--ferocious Turk.

He'd kill 'em all--box the young lady's ears--he does--often.' 'What!' cried Nicholas, in high wrath, 'do you mean to tell me that any man would dare to box the ears of such a--' He had no time to sing the praises of his mistress, just then, for Newman gave him a gentle push which had nearly precipitated him to the bottom of the area steps.