CHAPTER V.

Hawk and Buzzard.


Mrs. Wood's anxiety to please her distinguished guests speedily
displayed itself in a very plentiful, if not very dainty repast. To the
duckling, peas, and other delicacies, intended for Mr. Kneebone's
special consumption, she added a few impromptu dishes, tossed off in her
best style; such as lamb chops, broiled kidneys, fried ham and eggs, and
toasted cheese. Side by side with the cheese (its never-failing
accompaniment, in all seasons, at the carpenter's board) came a tankard
of swig, and a toast. Besides these there was a warm gooseberry-tart,
and a cold pigeon pie--the latter capacious enough, even allowing for
its due complement of steak, to contain the whole produce of a dovecot;
a couple of lobsters and the best part of a salmon swimming in a sea of
vinegar, and shaded by a forest of fennel. While the cloth was laid, the
host and Thames descended to the cellar, whence they returned, laden
with a number of flasks of the same form, and apparently destined to the
same use as those depicted in Hogarth's delectable print--the Modern
Midnight Conversation.

Mrs. Wood now re-appeared with a very red face; and, followed by
Winifred, took her seat at the table. Operations then commenced. Mr.
Wood carved the ducks; Mr. Kneebone helped to the pigeon-pie; while
Thames unwired and uncorked a bottle of stout Carnarvonshire ale. The