Chapter 30 - Page 2

John was very anxious to flourish his supremacy before the eyes of Mr Chester, he did that day exceed himself, and did so goad and chafe his son and heir, that but for Joea€™s having made a solemn vow to keep his hands in his pockets when they were not otherwise engaged, it is impossible to say what he might have done with them. But the longest day has an end, and at length Mr Chester came downstairs to mount his horse, which was ready at the door.

As old John was not in the way at the moment, Joe, who was sitting in the bar ruminating on his dismal fate and the manifold perfections of Dolly Varden, ran out to hold the guesta€™s stirrup and assist him to mount. Mr Chester was scarcely in the saddle, and Joe was in the very act of making him a graceful bow, when old John came diving out of the porch, and collared him.

a€˜None of that, sir,a€™ said John, a€˜none of that, sir. No breaking of patroles. How dare you come out of the door, sir, without leave? Youa€™re trying to get away, sir, are you, and to make a traitor of yourself again? What do you mean, sir?a€™

a€˜Let me go, father,a€™ said Joe, imploringly, as he marked the smile upon their visitora€™s face, and observed the pleasure his disgrace afforded him. a€˜This is too bad. Who wants to get away?a€™

a€˜Who wants to get away!a€™ cried John, shaking him. a€˜Why you do, sir, you do. Youa€™re the boy, sir,a€™ added John, collaring with one band, and aiding the effect of a farewell bow to the visitor with the other, a€˜that wants to sneak into houses, and stir up differences between noble gentlemen and their sons, are you, eh? Hold your tongue, sir.a€™

Joe made no effort to reply. It was the crowning circumstance of his degradation. He extricated himself from his fathera€™s grasp, darted an angry look at the departing guest, and returned into the house.

a€˜But for her,a€™ thought Joe, as he threw his arms upon a table in the common room, and laid his head upon them, a€˜but for Dolly, who I couldna€™t bear should think me the rascal they would make me out to be if I ran away, this house and I should part to-night.a€™

It being evening by this time, Solomon Daisy, Tom Cobb, and Long Parkes, were all in the common room too, and had from the window been witnesses of what had just occurred. Mr Willet joining them soon afterwards, received the compliments of the company with great composure, and lighting his pipe, sat down among them.

a€˜Wea€™ll see, gentlemen,a€™ said John, after a long pause, a€˜whoa€™s the master of this house, and who isna€™t. Wea€™ll see whether