The gentlemen entreated him not to hurry himself; and, to beguile the
interval, had a fencing bout with their walking-sticks on the very small
landing-place: to the unspeakable discomposure of all the other lodgers
downstairs.

'Here, come in,' said Nicholas, when he had completed his toilet. 'In
the name of all that's horrible, don't make that noise outside.'

'An uncommon snug little box this,' said Mr Lenville, stepping into
the front room, and taking his hat off, before he could get in at all.
'Pernicious snug.'

'For a man at all particular in such matters, it might be a trifle
too snug,' said Nicholas; 'for, although it is, undoubtedly, a great
convenience to be able to reach anything you want from the ceiling or
the floor, or either side of the room, without having to move from your
chair, still these advantages can only be had in an apartment of the
most limited size.'

'It isn't a bit too confined for a single man,' returned Mr Lenville.
'That reminds me,--my wife, Mr Johnson,--I hope she'll have some good
part in this piece of yours?'

'I glanced at the French copy last night,' said Nicholas. 'It looks very
good, I think.'

'What do you mean to do for me, old fellow?' asked Mr Lenville, poking
the struggling fire with his walking-stick, and afterwards wiping it on
the skirt of his coat. 'Anything in the gruff and grumble way?'