hardly came below his knees. He walked with great difficulty; and his huge, white cotton legs, and black highlows, formed so ludicrous a tout-ensemble, that the Fitzcribbs could not restrain their laughter; and, after many efforts, all burst forth at once. Grunter's extreme and angry gravity added much to the ludicrous effect of the whole, particularly when rising with offended dignity to depart; he made his most formal bow to Mrs. Fitzcribb, but a slight crack, warning him to be cautious, he was obliged to sink back in his chair. Perceiving that it was necessary to conciliate, he attempted a grim smile, and said, Fitzcribb, you must be so kind as to lend me your cloak." 66 The cloak was brought, but it came only down to Grunter's knees. The absurdity of his appearance was rather heightened by the addition. At length he humbly said, " My dear Fitzcribb, I must get you to let one of your dear boys call me a coach; I cannot walk the streets like this." Glad to be restored to Grunter's favour, Fitzcribb consented; a coach was fetched, but, as ill-luck would have it, Grunter encountered on the stairs his old foe, Sally, and the Fitzcribbs' Kitty; and, though he gazed at them with ferocious defiance, they both burst into a laugh, which long after rang in his ears. When he arrived at Mr. Lindsay's, he not only saw Miss Tibby looking out of window, and heard her shriek out, "There's auld Grunter gane stark mod, wi' na troosers at a' worth mentioning!" but, as he entered the house, he encountered a whole party of supercilious fashionables just leaving it; and the pretty shrieks of the ladies, and the affected titter of their beaux, formed an odious chorus in his ears with the merriment of the Fitzcribbs, the ejaculations of Miss Tibby, and the loud laugh of Sally and Kitty. As he was somewhat sulky, and suspected that this affair had not been quite accidental on the part of Swift, he resolved at first to withdraw himself from Fitzcribb; but people soon forgive those they have need of. If he quarrelled with Fitzcribb, the book would be ruined. So, after a few days, in which this coadjutor, knowing that he could not be dispensed with, took high ground, and went not near Grunter, Grunter donned a new pair of ducks; and, having obtained Mr. Lindsay's consent, set forth for Great Quebec Street, with invitations for Mr. and Mrs. Fitzcribb, and family, to the fancy-ball, as his guests. CHAPTER XLV. In clouded majesty, there dullness shone, Where, in nice balance, truth with gold she weighs, The Dunciad. The fancy-ball was to take place on the third of April, and Grunter's book was out on the first. But he obtained, from all the Lindsays, a promise of patience, till Ellen's birthday, when it was to be presented in form. This, as they were all entirely engrossed by their preparations, he readily secured far more readily, perhaps, than he would have done any portion of time or attention for the book. How paltry to the inflated Grunter seemed all the details which engrossed the Lindsay family, on the very day when his quarto first saw the light! What was the birthday of any woman since Eve, or even of Eve herself, compared to that of this giant-born child of the old usher's brain? Fitzcribb had no rest, for Grunter's pride and joy were very communicative. Unable to wait till the morning papers arrived, he would rise early, dress in haste, throw himself into a cab, and be ready at the offices to snatch them up "wet from the press." In If his work was praised, what exultation! if censured, what indignant surprise! if neglected, what unspeakable amazement ! any case, he must immediately see Fitzcribb; and so poor Fitzcribb, who had perhaps been writing half the night, was roused from his morning slumber, or disturbed at his meagre breakfast, or important duties. At any rate, Grunter had always the advertisement on which to feast his eyes. |