Chapter 3

           April19.—Cummingscalled,bringingwithhimhisfriendMerton,whoisinthewinetrade.Gowingalsocalled.Mr.Mertonmadehimselfathomeatonce,andCarrieandIwerebothstruckwithhimimmediately,andthoroughlyapprovedofhissentiments.

           Heleanedbackinhischairandsaid:“YoumusttakemeasIam;”andIreplied:“Yes—andyoumusttakeusasweare.We’rehomelypeople,wearenotswells.”

           Heanswered:“No,Icanseethat,”andGowingroaredwithlaughter;butMertoninamostgentlemanlymannersaidtoGowing:“Idon’tthinkyouquiteunderstandme.Iintendedtoconveythatourcharminghostandhostessweresuperiortothefolliesoffashion,andpreferredleadingasimpleandwholesomelifetogaddingabouttotwopenny-halfpennytea-drinkingafternoons,andlivingabovetheirincomes.”

           IwasimmenselypleasedwiththesesensibleremarksofMerton’s,andconcludedthatsubjectbysaying:“No,candidly,Mr.Merton,wedon’tgointoSociety,becausewedonotcareforit;andwhatwiththeexpenseofcabshereandcabsthere,andwhiteglovesandwhiteties,etc.,itdoesn’tseemworththemoney.”

           Mertonsaidinreferencetofriends:“Mymottois‘FewandTrue;’and,bytheway,Ialsoapplythattowine,‘LittleandGood.’”Gowingsaid:“Yes,andsometimes‘cheapandtasty,’eh,oldman?”Merton,stillcontinuing,saidheshouldtreatmeasafriend,andputmedownforadozenofhis“Lockanbar”whisky,andasIwasanoldfriendofGowing,Ishouldhaveitfor36s.