d Mr. Bumpkin spend a social evening at the
"Goose."

When Mr. Bumpkin, on this memorable evening, went into Mrs. Oldtimes'
parlour to console himself after the fatigues and troubles of the day
there were a cheerful fire and a comfortable meal prepared for him. Mr.
O'Rapley had promised to spend the evening with him, so that they might
talk over the business of the day and the prospects of the coming trial.
It was a very singular coincidence, and one that tended to cement the
friendship of these two gentlemen, that their tastes both inclined to
gin-and-water. And this very house, as appeared from a notice on the
outside, was the "noted house for Foolman's celebrated gin."

But as yet Mr. O'Rapley had not arrived; so after his meal Mr. Bumpkin
looked into the other room to see how Joe was getting on, for he was
extremely anxious to keep his "head witness" straight. "Joe was his
mainstay."

I have already related what took place, and the song that Bumpkin sang.
The statement of the head witness that he was all right, and that he was
up to Mr. Sergeant, to a great extent reassured Mr. Bumpkin: although he
felt, keen man that he was, that that soldier was there for the purpose
of "ketchin what young men he could to make sogers on 'em; he had 'eerd
o' sich things afore:" such were his thoughts as Mr. O'Rapley entered the
apartment.

"Dear me, Mr. Bumpkin," said that official, "how very cold it is! how are
you, Mrs. Oldtimes? I haven't seen you for an age."

The Don always made that observation when strangers were present.

"Hope you're quite well, sir," said the landlady, with much humility.

"What'll thee please to take, sir?" asked Bumpkin.

"Well, now, I daresay you'll think me remarkable strange, Mr. Bumpkin,
but I'm going to say something which I very very seldom indulge in, but
it's good, I believe, for indigestion. I will take a little--just a very
small quantity--of gin, with some hot water, and a large lump of sugar,
to destroy the alcohol."

"Ha!" said the knowing Bumpkin; "that's wot we call gin-and-water in our
part of the country. So'll I, Mrs. Oldtimes, but not too much hot water
for I. What'll thee smoke, sir?"

"Thank you, one of those cheroots that my lord praised so much the last
time we was 'ere."

"If you please, sir," said the landlady, with a very good-natured smile.

"Well," said the O'Rapley, in his patronizing manner; "and how have we
got on to-day? let us hear all about it. Com