Bell Yard

           WhilewewereinLondonMr.Jarndycewasconstantlybesetbythecrowdofexcitableladiesandgentlemenwhoseproceedingshadsomuchastonishedus.Mr.Quale,whopresentedhimselfsoonafterourarrival,wasinallsuchexcitements.Heseemedtoprojectthosetwoshiningknobsoftemplesofhisintoeverythingthatwentonandtobrushhishairfartherandfartherback,untiltheveryrootswerealmostreadytoflyoutofhisheadininappeasablephilanthropy.Allobjectswerealiketohim,buthewasalwaysparticularlyreadyforanythinginthewayofatestimonialtoanyone.Hisgreatpowerseemedtobehispowerofindiscriminateadmiration.Hewouldsitforanylengthoftime,withtheutmostenjoyment,bathinghistemplesinthelightofanyorderofluminary.HavingfirstseenhimperfectlyswallowedupinadmirationofMrs.Jellyby,Ihadsupposedhertobetheabsorbingobjectofhisdevotion.Isoondiscoveredmymistakeandfoundhimtobetrain-bearerandorgan-blowertoawholeprocessionofpeople.Mrs.Pardigglecameonedayforasubscriptiontosomething,andwithher,Mr.Quale.WhateverMrs.Pardigglesaid,Mr.Qualerepeatedtous;andjustashehaddrawnMrs.Jellybyout,hedrewMrs.Pardiggleout.Mrs.PardigglewrotealetterofintroductiontomyguardianinbehalfofhereloquentfriendMr.Gusher.WithMr.GusherappearedMr.Qualeagain.Mr.Gusher,beingaflabbygentlemanwithamoistsurfaceandeyessomuchtoosmallforhismoonofafacethattheyseemedtohavebeenoriginallymadeforsomebodyelse,wasnotatfirstsightprepossessing;yethewasscarcelyseatedbeforeMr.