Crisparkle repaired, awaiting the arrival of a short, squat omnibus, with a disproportionate heap of luggage on the roof—like a little Elephant with infinitely too much Castle—which was then the daily service between Cloisterham and external mankind. As this vehicle lumbered up, Mr. Crisparkle could hardly see anything else of it for a large outside passenger seated on the box, with his elbows squared, and his hands on his knees, compressing the driver into a most uncomfortably small compass, and glowering about him with a strongly-marked face.
′Is this Cloisterham?′ demanded the passenger, in a tremendous voice.
′It is,′ replied the driver, rubbing himself as if he ached, after throwing the reins to the ostler. ′And I never was so glad to see it.′
′Tell your master to make his box-seat wider, then,′ returned the passenger. ′Your master is morally bound—and ought to be legally, under ruinous penalties—to provide for the comfort of his fellow- man.′
The driver instituted, with the palms of his hands, a superficial perquisition into the state of his skeleton; which seemed to make him anxious.
′Have I sat upon you?′ asked the passenger.
′You have,′ said the driver, as if he didn′t like it at all.
′Take that card, my friend.′
′I think I won′t deprive you on it,′ returned the driver, casting his eyes over it with no great favour, without taking it. ′What′s the good of it to me?′
′Be a Member of that Society,′ said the passenger.
′What shall I get by it?′ asked the driver.
′Brotherhood,′ returned the passenger, in a ferocious voice.
′Thankee,′ said the driver, very deliberately, as he got down; ′my mother was contented with myself, and so am I. I don′t want no brothers.′
′But you must have them,′ replied the passenger, also descending, ′whether you like it or not. I am your brother.′
′ I say!′ expostulated the driver, becoming more chafed in temper, ′not too fur! The worm WILL, when—′
But here, Mr. Crisparkle interposed, remonstrating aside, in a friendly voice: ′Joe, Joe, Joe! don′t forget yourself, Joe, my good fellow!′ and then, when Joe peaceably touched his hat, accosting the passenger with: ′Mr. Honeythunder?′
′That is my name, sir.′
′My name is Crisparkle.′
′Reverend Mr. Septimus? Glad to see you, sir. Neville and Helena are inside. Having a little succumbed of late, under the pressure of my public labours, I thought I would take a mouthful of fresh air, and come down with them, and return at night. So you are the Reverend Mr. Septimus, are you?′ surveying him on the whole with disappointment, and twisting a double eyeglass by its ribbon, as if he were roasting it, but not otherwise using it. ′Hah! I expected to see you older, sir.′
′I hope you will,′ was the good-humoured reply.
′Eh?′ demanded Mr. Honeythunder.
′Only a poor little joke. Not worth repeating.′
′Joke? Ay; I never see a joke,′ Mr. Honeythunder frowningly retorted. ′A joke is wasted upon me, sir. Where are they? Helena and Neville, come here! Mr. Crisparkle has come down to meet you.
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