"There won't be a bit of furniture in the place presently," said he,
"and I wouldn't give twopence for the cat when he's finished kicking
her. This comes of the women, my boy. Never have nothing to say to a
woman until you've finished your dinner and lighted your cigar. Many a
good business have I seen go into the Bankruptcy Court because of a
petticoat before lunch. You keep away from 'em if you want to be Lord
Mayor of London, same as Dick Whittington was."
James did not desire particularly to become Lord Mayor of London, but
he was greatly amused by his employer's temper.
"Never heard such language," said he--"and him about to marry her. Why,
he almost threw them jewels at her 'ead; and when she told him he must
have let the devil in by accident, he says as he was always glad to see
her friends. They'll make a happy couple, surely."
John shook his old dense head, and would express no opinion upon the
point.
"Misfortunes never come singly," said he. "Here's that Count Florian
waiting for him in the ante-room. Now that's a man I can't abide.
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