Springing a Mine

           Refreshedbysleep,Mr.Bucketrisesbetimesinthemorningandpreparesforafield-day.Smartenedupbytheaidofacleanshirtandawethairbrush,withwhichinstrument,onoccasionsofceremony,helubricatessuchthinlocksasremaintohimafterhislifeofseverestudy,Mr.Bucketlaysinabreakfastoftwomuttonchopsasafoundationtoworkupon,togetherwithtea,eggs,toast,andmarmaladeonacorrespondingscale.Havingmuchenjoyedthesestrengtheningmattersandhavingheldsubtleconferencewithhisfamiliardemon,heconfidentlyinstructsMercury"justtomentionquietlytoSirLeicesterDedlock,Baronet,thatwheneverhe’sreadyforme,I’mreadyforhim."AgraciousmessagebeingreturnedthatSirLeicesterwillexpeditehisdressingandjoinMr.Bucketinthelibrarywithintenminutes,Mr.Bucketrepairstothatapartmentandstandsbeforethefirewithhisfingeronhischin,lookingattheblazingcoals.ThoughtfulMr.Bucketis,asamanmaybewithweightyworktodo,butcomposed,sure,confident.Fromtheexpressionofhisfacehemightbeafamouswhist-playerforalargestake—sayahundredguineascertain—withthegameinhishand,butwithahighreputationinvolvedinhisplayinghishandouttothelastcardinamasterlyway.NotintheleastanxiousordisturbedisMr.BucketwhenSirLeicesterappears,butheeyesthebaronetasideashecomesslowlytohiseasy-chairwiththatobservantgravityofyesterdayinwhichtheremighthavebeenyesterday,butfortheaudacityoftheidea,atouchofcompassion.