CHAPTER IV.
Mr.Kneebone and his Friends.
Mrs.Wood was scarcely seated before Mr.Kneebone made his appearance.
To her great surprise and mortification he was not alone; but brought with him a couple of friends, whom he begged to introduce as Mr.
Jeremiah Jackson, and Mr.Solomon Smith, chapmen, (or what in modern vulgar parlance would be termed bagmen) travelling to procure orders for the house of an eminent cloth manufacturer in Manchester.

Neither the manners, the looks, nor the attire of these gentlemen prepossessed Mrs.
Wood in their favour.

Accordingly, on their presentation, Mr.Jeremiah Jackson and Mr.Solomon Smith received something very like a rebuff.
Luckily, they were not easily discomposed.

Two persons possessing a more comfortable stock of assurance could not be readily found.

Imitating the example of Mr.Kneebone, who did not appear in the slightest degree disconcerted by his cool reception, each sank carelessly into a chair, and made himself at home in a moment.