with education and all that accordingly. It's beautiful to hear them. You'll see a little fellow in a wig, and he'll get up; and there'll be a man in the box before him,—some swell dressed up to his eyes, who thinks no end of strong beer of himself; and in about ten minutes he'll be as flabby as wet paper, and he'll say—on his oath, mind you,—just anything that that little fellow wants him to say. That's power, mind you, and I call it beautiful.'
'But it aint justice,' said Mrs. Smiley.
'Why not? I say it is justice. You can have it if you choose to pay for it, and so can I. If I buy a greatcoat against the winter, and you go out at night without having one, is it injustice because you're perished by the cold while I'm as warm as a toast? I say it's a grand thing to live in a country where one can buy a greatcoat.'
The argument had got so far, Mr. Moulder certainly having the best of it, when a ring at the outer door was heard.
'Now who on earth is that?' said Moulder.
'Snengkeld, I shouldn't wonder,' said his wife.
'I hope it aint no stranger,' said Mrs. Smiley. 'Situated as John and I are now, strangers is so disagreeable.' And then the door was opened by the maid-servant, and Mr. Kantwise was shown into the room.
'Halloo, Kantwise!' said Mr. Moulder, not rising from his chair, or giving any very decided tokens of welcome. 'I thought you were down somewhere among the iron foundries?'
'So I was, Mr. Moulder, but I came up yesterday. Mrs. Moulder, allow me to have the honour. I hope I see you quite well; but looking at you I need not ask. Mr. Kenneby, sir, your very humble servant. The day's coming on fast; isn't it, Mr. Kenneby? Ma'am, your very obedient. I believe I haven't the pleasure of being acquainted.'
'Mrs. Smiley, Mr. Kantwise. Mr. Kantwise, Mrs. Smiley,' said the lady of the house, introducing her visitors to each other in the appropriate way.
'Quite delighted, I'm sure,' said Kantwise.
'Smiley as is, and Kenneby as will be this day three weeks,' said Moulder; and then they all enjoyed that little joke, Mrs. Smiley by no means appearing bashful in the matter although Mr. Kantwise was a stranger.
'I thought I should find Mr. Kenneby here,' said Kantwise, when the subject of the coming nuptials had been sufficiently discussed, 'and therefore I just stepped in. No intrusion, I hope, Mr. Moulder.'
'All right,' said Moulder; 'make yourself at home. There's the stuff on the table. You know what the tap is.'
'I've just parted from—Mr. Dockwrath,' said Kantwise, speaking in a tone of voice which implied the great importance of the
