"If I don't mistake the family likeness, I have the pleasure of
speaking to Mr. Henry Foker, Lady Agnes Foker's son. I have the happiness
to name her ladyship among my acquaintances--and you bear, sir, a
Rosherville face."
"Hullo! I beg your pardon," Mr. Foker said, "I took you,"--he was going
to say--"I took you for a commercial gent." But he stopped that phrase.
"To whom have I the pleasure of speaking?" he added.
"To a relative of a friend and schoolfellow of yours--Arthur Pendennis,
my nephew, who has often spoken to me about you in terms of great regard.
I am Major Pendennis, of whom you may have heard him speak. May I take my
soda-water at your table? I have had the pleasure of sitting at your
grandfather's."
"Sir, you do me proud," said Mr. Foker, with much courtesy. "And so you
are Arthur Pendennis's uncle, are you?"
"And guardian," added the Major.
"He's as good a fellow as ever stepped, sir," said Mr. Foker.
"I am glad you think so."
"And clever, too--I was always a stupid chap, I was--but you see, sir, I
know 'em when they are clever, and like 'em of that sort.
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