The old man gazed at him for a moment with a look of wonder, repeating
to himself, 'Here now! In this house!' But he mastered his surprise, and
said, after a pause:
'Let me see him.'
'In a friendly spirit, I hope?' said Mr Pecksniff. 'Forgive me, sir but
he is in the receipt of my humble hospitality.'
'I said,' replied the old man, 'let me see him. If I were disposed to
regard him in any other than a friendly spirit, I should have said keep
us apart.'
'Certainly, my dear sir. So you would. You are frankness itself, I know.
I will break this happiness to him,' said Mr Pecksniff, as he left the
room, 'if you will excuse me for a minute--gently.'
He paved the way to the disclosure so very gently, that a quarter of an
hour elapsed before he returned with Mr Jonas. In the meantime the young
ladies had made their appearance, and the table had been set out for the
refreshment of the travellers.
Now, however well Mr Pecksniff, in his morality, had taught Jonas the
lesson of dutiful behaviour to his uncle, and however perfectly Jonas,
in the cunning of his nature, had learnt it, that young man's bearing,
when presented to his father's brother, was anything but manly or
engaging.
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