himself. Ah, youth, youth! I wish I could remember some of the spiteful
things that are said of you--not but on the whole, I take it, you have the
right end of the stick. Is it possible there is nothing to eat in this
inhospitable mansion?' He arose and opened a sort of cupboard in the wall,
scrutinising it closely with the candle. '"Give me but the superfluities of
life," says Gavarni, "and I'll not trouble you for its necessaries." What
would he say, however, to a fellow famishing with hunger in presence of
nothing but pickled mushrooms and Worcester sauce! Oh, here is a crust!
"Bread is the staff of life." On my oath, I believe so; for this eats
devilish like a walking-stick.

'Hullo! back already?' cried he, as Kearney flung wide the door and
entered. 'I suppose you hurried away back to join me at supper.'

'Thanks; but I have supped already, and at a more tempting banquet than
this I see before you.'

'Was it pleasant? was it jolly? Were the girls looking lovely? Was the
champagne-cup well iced? Was everybody charming? Tell me all about it. Let
me have second-hand pleasure, since I can't afford the new article.'

'It was pretty much like every other small ball here, where the garrison
get all the prettiest girls for partners, and take the mammas down to
supper after.'

'Cunning dogs, who secure flirtation above stairs and food below! And what
is stirring in the world? What are the gaieties in prospect? Are any of my
old flames about to get married?'

'I didn't know you had any.'