'You and I will get
on excellently well, I know; which it's no small relief to me to feel,
for to tell you the truth, I am not at all the sort of fellow who could
get on with everybody, and that's the point on which I had the greatest
doubts. But they're quite relieved now.--Do me the favour to ring the
bell, will you?'
Mr Pinch rose, and complied with great alacrity--the handle hung just
over Martin's head, as he warmed himself--and listened with a smiling
face to what his friend went on to say. It was:
'If you like punch, you'll allow me to order a glass apiece, as hot
as it can be made, that we may usher in our friendship in a becoming
manner. To let you into a secret, Mr Pinch, I never was so much in want
of something warm and cheering in my life; but I didn't like to run the
chance of being found drinking it, without knowing what kind of person
you were; for first impressions, you know, often go a long way, and last
a long time.'
Mr Pinch assented, and the punch was ordered. In due course it came; hot
and strong. After drinking to each other in the steaming mixture, they
became quite confidential.
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