A LITTLE DINNER.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1928, 29 April 1880, Page 3

A LITTLE DINNER.

'My dear George,—l should esteem it a favor if you would invite your father's cousin, Alexander McDour, to dinner. He is in London for a few days, at Chafing Cross Hotel, and a little attention to him wonld please me ' Your affectionate annt, * Peiscilla Lgvell.' What would I not do to please aunt Prissy ! Had she not declared me heir to her ? [Did she not always tip ma handsomely on my birthday and at Christmas ? And, present source of gratitude, had she not enclosed me a crisp Bank of England note for ten poinds ? Dear aunt Prissy !

I sought my particular friend, JoeGrantly, and, having discussed the matter with him, I despatched a note of invitation to Sandy McDour. The messenger brought back an acceptance, and then we talked over all the people we knew from whom we might select a fourth for our little dinner, ' You and I are goo i company for each other,' observed Joe, thoughtfully watching wreaths of smoke that ascended from his pipe; * but you ought to get some other old fellow to meet your Scotch friend; they'd understand each other, you see.' Later in the day chance favored me. I was walking in Piccadilly, when I came into violent collision with an old gentleman who was bolting out of Bond street. 'Don't!' I cried, in a vexed tone, as I caught at my new hat. * I didn't, sir—it was yourself!' ejaculated my adversary; and there was that true ring of music in the tones of his voice which is only heard north of the Tweed. I looked hastily up. and behold, an old Edinburgh friend stood, first glowering, and then smiling before me. ' lily dear boy ! I'm glad to see you,'though you've been a trifle rough on me in your greeting.'

'Pray forgive me—inexcusable careless noss,' Sec, I murmured, and fire minutes later I had mastered the important faota that the friend I had just met knew Saudy McDour well, and would be delighted to meet him at dinner at my rooms next evening at seven o'clock. Next morning I told my landlord, who was onoe a butler, that I hoped he'd see to things being all right at dinner. He was clearing my breakfast table, and replied a little c ervonely, ' Certainly, sir; but have you seen Mrs Dick, sir?'

' Not yet,' I said carelessly. 'l'll see her about the dinner presently.' * Better see her soon, sir,' with an uneasy glance at the door. ' Mrs Dick is a very amiable woman, sir, but she's firm.' I knew Dick was only Mrs Dick's husband —not himself—bo I pitied him. ' Won't she let you wait, do yos mean V I enquired, filling my pipe. ' I'm not sure as to that, sir ; but I was thinking more about the dinner—it might be spoiled, you see, unless Mrs Dick was consulted in time, sir.'

' I see. I say, Dick,' I continued, in my bachelor ignorance (I did not know it was bliss then, and have had the folly to be wise since), 'you should show your wife you are master 1'

* Oh, I do, sir,' cried Dick, with a terrified glsncs open door;' I'm a firm person myself, sir ; but,' hesitatingly, 'I [think Mr Dick is firmer.'

I thought so A few minutes later I had a long and quite pleasant conversation with my landlady, whose ruffled plumes were soothed by a few words of gentle flattery as to her excellent cooking ; and she left me with the assurance that everything should be in beautiful order, and that Mrs Dick would be most "appy' to wait at table.

"When the clock on the mantlepiece pointed to five minutes to seven my guests were assembled. Men are, as a rule, punctual as dinner guests. I think they like to enjoy and endeavor to unrol the mixtnre of delicious odours that pervades a small house just before dinner. Mrs Dick outdid herself in the meal she sent up, and Dick's brow was cloudless as he waited. We spoke little, for we were hungry; but when the last relay of plates was removed each man looked at his neighbor with a genial smile, and this showed me the wheels inside the human machine had been sufficiently lubricated, and that mind might now triumph over matter. Finally, Dick removed all but the spirit case, and with a request that I would ring when I wanted hot water, he withdrew. We turned our chairs to more easy positions, I stirred the fire to a blaze, and Mr Craig (the Bond street hero) addressed Mr McDour as follows: ' Do ye remember the little discussion we had when I last saw you five years ago, as to the management of St. Andrew's College ?' ' I do,' said Sandy ; and there was a sidoward nod of his head that said, 'And I'm glad to sea you do.' ' Well, now,' pursued the other, ' you've altered your opinions since then, surely V 'Not a bit,' proclaimed Sandy. * Eh, now, can ye really eay that ?' incredulously demanded Mr Craig ; and forthwith the battle began. Did you ever see a Scotchman preparing for argument? Much has been written and said about the war-horse arrayed for battle, the bull entering the arena, and othcr animala in trying situations ; but I repeat again, did yon ever see a Scotchman preparing for argument? There is a complacent smile on his lip and a firm gaze in his eye as he faces his adversary that tells of possible conquest and certain pleasure. Thorojis also a little pity in the glance he fixes unflinchingly on the poor fool who d*re3 disagree with him. But here were two Sots arrayed, and how'deadly the struggle would be I knew not yet, but prese tly. In even measured tones .the two went on, till Joe 1 looked at mo and I looked at Joe, and wo J both looked at the clock. A quarter to ten. ! I determined in my own mind that old i codgers like these went to bed at ten, and, I trusting in that delusive hope, I rang for hot water.

'The whisky will soothe them, perhaps,' I mused, as the steaming water, fragrant lemon, and shining lumps of sugar were put temptingly before the combatants. Soothe them! The smell of the toddy inspired them as a breath from their native hills. The whisky lowered in the bottle and the steam arose from the tumblers, and hard at it they still kept. Once a shout of triumph broke from Craig—'Then you admit that ao much Is better than it was ?'

' Aha !' explained Sandy, with a sideward jerk of the head and a wink that was deadly in its effect, ' but I premised that.' On again. I had a piano. Joe was a mnsician, and a happy thought struck him He opened the instrument, played a few chords, and esmmenoed singing, 'We are na fou, we're no thai fou, But just a droppie in our 'ee.' The struggle waned. Several long sips of toddy were silently shallowed, and then in stentorian tones the Scotsmen chimed in, 'For I will taste the barley bree.' The savage breasts wer» o^rned. 'lt is eleven o'clock!' declared the twe dissipated old gentlemen, as they put on their coats. They thaukei m* genially for thtir pleasant evening, and Dick was sent tor a c*b.

'For,' said Craig, 'you csn drop ma at Bond street on your way, and we'll divide the fare.'

'Ay,' said Sandy. * Saxpenea apiece.' 'And,' I heard Craig say on the i=tej;.3 as they departed, we can have a few more words as we drivo that I'm thinking -rvill settle our dispute.' I felt thankful these words would be said in the cab.