Chapter 2

This, sir, is one among the Seignory,
Has wealth at will, and will to use his wealth,
And wit to increase it. Marry, his worst folly
Lies in a thriftless sort of charity,
That goes a-gadding sometimes after objects,
Which wise men will not see when thrust upon them.
_The Old Couple._

The ancient gentleman bustled about his shop, in pettish displeasure
at being summoned hither so hastily, to the interruption of his more
abstract studies; and, unwilling to renounce the train of calculation
which he had put in progress, he mingled whimsically with the
fragments of the arithmetical operation, his oratory to the
passengers, and angry reflections on his idle apprentices. "What d'ye
lack, sir? Madam, what d'ye lack--clocks for hall or table--night-
watches--day watches?--_Locking wheel being 48--the power of retort 8
--the striking pins are 48_--What d'ye lack, honoured sir?--_The
quotient--the multiplicand_--That the knaves should have gone out this
blessed minute!--_the acceleration being at the rate of 5 minutes, 55
seconds, 53 thirds, 59 fourths_--I will switch them both when they
come back--I will, by the bones of the immortal Napier!"

Here the vexed philosopher was interrupted by the entrance of a grave
citizen of a most respectable appearance, who, saluting him familiarly
by the name of "Davie, my old acquaintance," demanded what had put him
so much out of sorts, and gave him at the same time a cordial grasp of
his hand.

The stranger's dress was, though grave, rather richer than usual. His
paned hose were of black velvet, lined with purple silk, which
garniture appeared at the slashes. His doublet was of purple cloth,
and his short cloak of black velvet, to correspond with his hose; and
both were adorned with a great number of small silver buttons richly
wrought in filigree. A triple chain of gold hung round his neck; and,
in place of a sword or dagger, he wore at his belt an ordinary knife
for the purpose of the table, with a small silver case, which appeared
to contain writing materials. He might have seemed some secretary or
clerk engaged in the service of the public, only that his low, flat,
and unadorned cap, and his well-blacked, shining shoes, indicated that
he belonged to the city. He was a well-made man, about the middle
size, and seemed in firm health, though advanced in years. His looks
expressed sagacity and good-humour: and the air of respectability
which his dress announced, was well supported by his clear eye, ruddy
cheek, and grey hair. He used the Scottish idiom in his first address,
but in such a manner that it could hardly be distinguished whether he
was passing upon his friend a sort of jocose mockery, or whether it
was his own native