CHAPTER XI.
LITTLE MR. BOUNCER'S FRIEND PRELUDES THE DUEL WITH SOME TEA-TRAY AND POKER MUSIC.
ES," said little Mr. Bouncer to Mr. Smirke, "I 'll be your second; and I daresay, Effingham, that you will act as second to Bulpit?"
"Very happy, I 'm sure; if you wish me, Bulpit?" said the host of the evening.
"Oh, yes; I should like it of all things!" rejoined that individual; feeling, however, very much more disposed to ask Mr. Smirke to shake hands and be friends, and to forgive him for beginning the fracas by throwing the slice of tongue in his face. But Mr. Bulpit thought within himself, "If I do so, they 'll all think I 'm showing the white feather." So, out of the fear of being thought to possess and exhibit that most unpopular plume, Mr. Bulpit smothered his real feelings, being the more disposed to do so, as Mr.
