The things we do!

Clive always rejoiced in F. B.'s society,
whether he was in a sportive mood, or, as now, in a solemn and didactic
vein. F. B. had been more than ordinarily majestic all the evening. "I
dare say you find me a good deal altered, Clive," he remarked; "I am a
good deal altered. Since that good Samaritan, your kind father, had
compassion on a poor fellow fallen among thieves (though I don't say,
mind you, he was much better than his company), F. B. has mended some of
his ways. I am trying a course of industry, sir. Powers, perhaps
naturally great, have been neglected over the wine-cup and the die. I am
beginning to feel my way; and my chiefs yonder, who have just walked home
with their cigars in their mouths, and without as much as saying, F. B.,
my boy, shall we go to the Haunt and have a cool lobster and a glass of
table-beer,--which they certainly do not consider themselves to be,--I
say, sir, the Politician and the Literary Critic" (there was a most
sarcastic emphasis laid on these phrases, characterising Messrs.


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