Fourteen years ago I scraped together the wretched means of existence in this very town by reading the newspaper (with explanatory comments) to the company at a public-house.

And now here I am at the top of the tree.
It is needless to say that my first proceeding was to bowl out the music-seller on the spot.

He called the next morning, no doubt with a liberal proposal for extending the engagement beyond Derby and Nottingham.

My niece was described as not well enough to see him; and, when he asked for me, he was told I was not up.

I happened to be at that moment engaged in putting the case pathetically to our gifted Magdalen.
Her answer was in the highest degree satisfactory.