Basswood books

"Can I have the honour of speaking with Major Pendennis in private?" he
began--"I have a few words for your ear, sir. I am the bearer of a
mission from my friend Captain Costigan,"--but here the man with the bass
voice paused, faltered, and turned pale--he caught sight of the red and
well-remembered face of Mr. Tatham.
"Hullo, Garbetts, speak up!" cried Mr. Foker, delighted.
"Why, bless my soul, it is the other party to the bill!" said Mr. Tatham.
"I say, sir; stop I say." But Garbetts, with a face as blank as Macbeth's
when Banquo's ghost appears upon him, gasped some inarticulate words, and
fled out of the room.
The Major's gravity was also entirely upset, and he burst out laughing.
So did Mr. Foker, who said, "By Jove, it was a good 'un." So did the
attorney, although by profession a serious man.
"I don't think there'll be any fight, Major," young Foker said; and began
mimicking the tragedian. "If there is, the old gentleman--your name
Tatham?--very happy to make your acquaintance, Mr. Tatham--may send the
bailiffs to separate the men;" and Mr.


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