Chapter 32

Misfortunes, saith the adage, never come singly. There is little doubt that troubles are exceedingly gregarious in their nature, and flying in flocks, are apt to perch capriciously; crowding on the heads of some poor wights until there is not an inch of room left on their unlucky crowns, and taking no more notice of others who offer as good resting-places for the soles of their feet, than if they had no existence. It may have happened that a flight of troubles brooding over London, and looking out for Joseph Willet, whom they couldna€™t find, darted down haphazard on the first young man that caught their fancy, and settled on him instead. However this may be, certain it is that on the very day of Joea€™s departure they swarmed about the ears of Edward Chester, and did so buzz and flap their wings, and persecute him, that he was most profoundly wretched.

It was evening, and just eight oa€™clock, when he and his father, having wine and dessert set before them, were left to themselves for the first time that day. They had dined together, but a third person had been present during the meal, and until they met at table they had not seen each other since the previous night.

Edward was reserved and silent. Mr Chester was more than usually gay; but not caring, as it seemed, to open a conversation with one whose humour was so different, he vented the lightness of his spirit in smiles and sparkling looks, and made no effort to awaken his attention. So they remained for some time: the father lying on a sofa with his accustomed air of graceful negligence; the son seated opposite to him with downcast eyes, busied, it was plain, with painful and uneasy thoughts.

a€˜My dear Edward,a€™ said Mr Chester at length, with a most engaging laugh, a€˜do not extend your drowsy influence to the decanter. Suffer that to circulate, let your spirits be never so stagnant.a€™

Edward begged his pardon, passed it, and relapsed into his former state.

a€˜You do wrong not to fill your glass,a€™ said Mr Chester, holding up his own before the light. a€˜Wine in moderationa€"not in excess, for that makes men uglya€"has a thousand pleasant influences. It brightens the eye, improves the voice, imparts a new vivacity to onea€™s thoughts and conversation: you should try it, Ned.a€™

a€˜Ah father!a€™ cried his son, a€˜ifa€"a€™

a€˜My good fellow,a€™ interposed the parent hastily, as he set down his glass, and raised his eyebrows with a startled and horrified expression, a€˜for Heavena€™s sake dona€™t call me by that obsolete and ancient name. Have some regard for delicacy. Am I grey, or wrinkled, do I go on crutches, have I lost my teeth, that you adopt such a mode of