by Jacob Abbott
CHAPTER VI.
BREAKFAST.
"Now, Rollo," said Mr. George, "ring the bell, and we will see whatMargaret can let us have for breakfast."
It was Sunday morning, a day or two after Mr. George and Rollo arrivedin London. Mr. George had been sitting at a small table at one of thewindows, writing a letter, and Rollo had been sitting at the otherwindow, amusing himself, sometimes by looking at the pictures in a book,and at others by watching the little scenes and incidents which werecontinually occurring at the doors of the houses on the opposite side ofthe court below.
In obedience to his uncle's request, Rollo pulled one of the bellropeswhich hung by the side of the fire. A minute or two afterwardsMargaret's gentle tap was heard at the door.
"Come in," said Mr. George.
Margaret opened the door and came in.
"Well, Margaret," said Mr. George, "what can you let us have forbreakfast this morning?"
"You can have whatever you like," said Margaret.
The English waiters and servant girls always say you can have whateveryou like; but it does not always prove in the end that the promise canbe realized.
"Can you let us have a fried sole?" asked Mr. George.
"Why, no, sir," said Margaret, "not Sunday morning. You see, sir, theydon't bring round the soles Sunday morning."
"Muffins, then," said Mr. George.
"Nor muffins either," replied Margaret. "We can't get any muffins Sundaymorning."
"Well," said Mr. George, "what can you get us most conveniently?"
"That's just as you like, sir," said Margaret. "You can have whateveryou like."
"Why, no," said Mr. George; "for you just said we could not have solesor muffins."
"Well, sir," said Margaret, innocently, "that's because it is Sundaymorning, and they don't bring round soles or muffins Sunday morning."
Mr. George began to perceive by this time that his principles of logicand those of Margaret were so entirely different from each other thatthere was no possibility of bringing any discussion to a point; and hevery wisely gave up the contest, telling Margaret that she might letthem have a cup of coffee, and any thing else she pleased.
"You can have a mutton chop, sir," said Margaret, "and rolls."
"Very well," said Mr. George; "that will be just the thing."
So Margaret went down to prepare the breakfast; and Mr. George, takinghis seat on the sofa, began to turn over the leaves of his guide book,to see if he could find out what time the service commenced inWestminster Abbey.
"Uncle George!" said Rollo, "look here! See this strange-looking boycoming into the court!"
"How does he look?" asked Mr. George.
"He looks very poor," said Rollo, "and miserable, and his head is as bigas a bushel basket! He is going to sing," Rollo added. "Hark!"
Mr. George listened, and heard the voice of a child, beginning to sing aplaintive ballad, in the court below.
"Come and see him," said Rollo.
"No," said Mr. George; "I don't wish to see him. You may throw him out apenny, if you choose."
"Well," said Rollo, "as soon as he has finished his song."
So Rollo waited till the boy had finished singing his song; and then,lifting up the window a little way, he threw a penny to him, shooting itout through the crack. Mr. George heard the chink of the penny as itfell upon the pavement below.
"He sees it!" said Rollo. "He is picking it up. He made me a bow!"
* * * * *
About this time Margaret came in and spread the cloth for breakfast.Soon afterwards she brought the breakfast up. She, however, brought onlyone cup for the coffee, having taken Mr. George's order, to let themhave a cup of coffee, somewhat too literally. The truth is, thatinasmuch as, at the English lodging houses, every thing that is calledfor is charged separately, the servants are, very properly, quitecareful not to bring any thing unless it is distinctly ordered, lestthey might seem to wish to force upon the traveller more than he desiredto pay for.
BREAKFAST.]
Margaret was, however, it appears, a little uncertain in this case; forshe asked Mr. George, as she put the waiter on the table, whether hemeant to have two cups brought, or only one. He told her two; and so shewent down and brought another, taking the coffee pot down with her,too, in order to add to it a fresh supply of coffee. In due time everything was ready; and Mr. George and Rollo, drawing their chairs up tothe table, had an excellent breakfast, all by themselves. Mr. Georgeremained quietly in his seat at the table all the time while eating hisbreakfast; but Rollo was continually getting up and going to the windowwhenever he heard the footsteps of any one coming into the court orgoing out, or the sound of the knocker or of the bell at any of theopposite doors.