'Because he's such a bad fellow, father,' said Meg.'An't you, Richard? Such a headstrong, violent man! He'd have made no more of speaking his mind to that great Alderman, and putting HIM down Idon't know where, than he would of '
' - Kissing Meg,' suggested Richard.Doing it too!
'No.Not a bit more,' said Meg.'But I wouldn't let him, father.
Where would have been the use!'
'Richard my boy!' cried Trotty.'You was turned up Trumps originally; and Trumps you must be, till you die! But, you were crying by the fire to-night, my pet, when I came home! Why did you cry by the fire?'
'I was thinking of the years we've passed together, father.Only that.And thinking that you might miss me, and be lonely.'
Trotty was backing off to that extraordinary chair again, when the child, who had been awakened by the noise, came running in half-dressed.
'Why, here she is!' cried Trotty, catching her up.'Here's little Lilian! Ha ha ha! Here we are and here we go! O here we are and here we go again! And here we are and here we go! and Uncle Will too!' Stopping in his trot to greet him heartily.'O, Uncle Will, the vision that I've had to-night, through lodging you! O, Uncle Will, the obligations that you've laid me under, by your coming, my good friend!'
Before Will Fern could make the least reply, a band of music burst into the room, attended by a lot of neighbours, screaming 'A Happy New Year, Meg!' 'A Happy Wedding!' 'Many of em!' and other fragmentary good wishes of that sort.The Drum (who was a private friend of Trotty's) then stepped forward, and said:
'Trotty Veck, my boy! It's got about, that your daughter is going to be married to-morrow.There an't a soul that knows you that don't wish you well, or that knows her and don't wish her well.Or that knows you both, and don't wish you both all the happiness the New Year can bring.And here we are, to play it in and dance it in, accordingly.'