for four hours, making drawings on the blotting-book, and reading
the Morning Post for that day week, Mr. Perkins was informed that he
might go into his uncle's room, and did so accordingly.

He found a little hard old gentleman seated at a table covered with
every variety of sealing-wax, blotting-paper, envelopes,
despatch-boxes, green tapers, etc. etc. An immense fire was blazing
in the grate, an immense sheet-almanack hung over that, a screen,
three or four chairs, and a faded Turkey carpet, formed the rest of
the furniture of this remarkable room--which I have described thus
particularly, because in the course of a long official life, I have
remarked that such is the invariable decoration of political rooms.

"Well, John," said the little hard old gentleman, pointing to an
arm-chair, "I'm told you've been here since eleven. Why the deuce
do you come so early?"

"I had important business," answered Mr. Perkins, stoutly; and as
his uncle looked up with a comical expression of wonder, John began
in a solemn tone to deliver a little speech which he had composed,
and which proved him to be a very worthy, easy, silly fellow.

"Sir," said Mr. Perkins, "you have known for some time past the
nature of my political opinions, and the intimacy which I have had
the honour to form with one--with some of the leading members of the
Liberal party." (A grin from Mr. Crampton.) "When first, by your
kindness, I was promised the clerkship in the Tape and Sealing-Wax
Office, my opinions were not formed as they are now; and having
taken the advice of the gentlemen with whom I act,"--(an enormous
grin)--"the advice, I say, of the gentlemen with whom I act, and the