Щоденник незначної особи

           ”Hereplied:“That’sright,”andpouredouthalfatumbleranddrankCarrie’shealth,coupled,ashesaid,“withherworthylordandmaster.”Weallhadsomesplendidpigeonpie,andicestofollow.

           Thewaiterswereveryattentive,andaskedifwewouldlikesomemorewine.IassistedCarrieandherfriendandMr.Padge,alsosomepeoplewhohadjustcomefromthedancing-room,whowereverycivil.ItoccurredtomeatthetimethatperhapssomeofthegentlemenknewmeintheCity,astheyweresopolite.Imademyselfuseful,andassistedseveralladiestoices,rememberinganoldsayingthat“Thereisnothinglostbycivility.”

           Thebandstruckupforthedance,andtheyallwentintotheball-room.Theladies(CarrieandMrs.Lupkin)wereanxioustoseethedancing,andasIhadnotquitefinishedmysupper,Mr.Padgeofferedhisarmstothemandescortedthemtotheball-room,tellingmetofollow.IsaidtoMr.Padge:“ItisquiteaWestEndaffair,”towhichremarkMr.Padgereplied:“That’sright.”

           WhenIhadquitefinishedmysupper,andwasleaving,thewaiterwhohadbeenattendingonusarrestedmyattentionbytappingmeontheshoulder.Ithoughtitunusualforawaiterataprivateballtoexpectatip,butneverthelessgaveashilling,ashehadbeenveryattentive.Hesmilinglyreplied:“Ibegyourpardon,sir,thisisnogood,”alludingtotheshilling.“Yourparty’shadfoursuppersat5s.ahead,fiveicesat1s.,threebottlesofchampagneat11s.6d.