Those two rooms were
perfectly redolent of their masters--I say it literally--for the
scent of flowers was in Clarence's room, and in Griff's, the odour
of cigars had not wholly been destroyed even by much airing. For in
those days it was regarded by parents and guardians as an
objectionable thing.
Peter was radiant on that occasion; but a few evenings later, when
all were gone to an evening party except my father and myself, Mr.
Robson was announced as wishing to speak to Mr. Winslow. After the
civilities proper to the visit of an old servant had passed, he
entered with obvious reluctance on the purpose of his visit, namely,
his dissatisfaction with Griff as a lodger. His wife, he said,
would not have had him speak, she was THAT attached to Mr. Griffith,
it couldn't be more if he was her own son; nor was it for want of
liking for the young gentleman on his part, as had known him from a
boy, 'but the wife of one's bosom must come first, sir, as stands to
reason, and it's for the good of the young gentleman himself, and
his family, as some one should speak. I never said one word against
it when she would not be satisfied without running the risk of her
life after Mr. Clarence; hattending of Mr. Frith in the cholery.
That was only her dooty, sir, and I have never a word to say against
dooty: but I cannot see her nearly wore out, and for no good to
nobody.
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