Chapter 71

           Clown....‘TwasintheBunchofGrapes,where,indeed,youhaveadelighttosit,haveyounot?Froth.Ihaveso:becauseitisanopenroom,andgoodforwinter.Clo.Why,verywellthen:Ihopeherebetruths.—MeasureforMeasure.

           FivedaysafterthedeathofRaffles,Mr.BambridgewasstandingathisleisureunderthelargearchwayleadingintotheyardoftheGreenDragon.Hewasnotfondofsolitarycontemplation,buthehadonlyjustcomeoutofthehouse,andanyhumanfigurestandingateaseunderthearchwayintheearlyafternoonwasascertaintoattractcompanionshipasapigeonwhichhasfoundsomethingworthpeekingat.Inthiscasetherewasnomaterialobjecttofeedupon,buttheeyeofreasonsawaprobabilityofmentalsustenanceintheshapeofgossip.Mr.Hopkins,themeek-mannereddraperopposite,wasthefirsttoactonthisinwardvision,beingthemoreambitiousofalittlemasculinetalkbecausehiscustomerswerechieflywomen.Mr.Bambridgewasrathercurttothedraper,feelingthatHopkinswasofcoursegladtotalktoHIM,butthathewasnotgoingtowastemuchofhistalkonHopkins.Soon,however,therewasasmallclusterofmoreimportantlisteners,whowereeitherdepositedfromthepassers-by,orhadsaunteredtothespotexpresslytoseeiftherewereanythinggoingonattheGreenDragon;andMr.