"Lady-day!" said George, uneasily, "Confound Lady-day, and every day
of the sort--there, don't you be so spiteful, old man--why if he isn't
all of a tremble. Poor old man." He went to his own door, and called
"Sarah!"

A stout servant-girl answered the summons.

"Take the old man in, and give him whatever is going, and his mug and
pipe," then he whispered her, "and don't go lumping the chine down
under his nose now."

"I thank you, young man," faltered Isaac, "I must not eat with you,
but I will go in and rest my limbs which fail me, and compose myself;
for passion is unseemly at my years."

Arrived at the door, he suddenly paused, and looking upward, said:

"Peace be under this roof, and comfort and love follow me into this
dwelling."

"Thank ye kindly," said young Fielding, a little surprised and touched
by this. "How old are you, daddy, if you please?" added he
respectfully.

"My son, I am threescore years and ten--a man of years and
grief--grief for myself, grief still more for my nation and city. Men
that are men pity us; men that are dogs have insulted us in all ages."

"Well," said the good-natured young man soothingly--"don't you vex