 Swiveller stood in need of beef
perhaps he would be so obliging as to come there and eat it, bringing with him,
as grace before meat, the amount of a certain small account which had been long
outstanding. Not at all intimidated by this rebuff, but rather sharpened in wits
and appetite, Mr. Swiveller forwarded the same message to another and more
distant eating-house, adding to it by way of rider that the gentleman was
induced to send so far, not only by the great fame and popularity its beef had
acquired, but in consequence of the extreme toughness of the beef retailed at
the obdurate cook's shop, which rendered it quite unfit not merely for
gentlemanly food but for any human consumption. The good effect of this politic
course was demonstrated by the speedy arrival of a small pewter pyramid,
curiously constructed of platters and covers, whereof the boiled-beef-plates
formed the base, and a foaming quart-pot the apex; the structure being resolved
into its component parts afforded all things requisite and necessary for a
hearty meal, to which Mr. Swiveller and his friend applied themselves with great
keenness and enjoyment.
    »May the present moment,« said Dick, sticking his fork into a large
carbuncular potato, »be the worst of our lives! I like this plan of sending 'em
with the peel on; there's a charm in drawing a potato from its native element
(if I may so express it) to which the rich and powerful are strangers. Ah! Man
wants but little here below, nor wants that little long! How true that is! -
after dinner.«
    »I hope the eating-house keeper will want but little and that he may not
want that little long,« returned his companion; »but I suspect you've no means
of paying for this!«
    »I shall be passing presently, and I'll call,« said Dick, winking his eye
significantly. »The waiter's quite helpless. The goods are gone, Fred, and
there's an end of it.«
    In point of fact, it would seem that the waiter felt this wholesome truth,
for when he returned for the empty plates and dishes and was informed by Mr.
Swiveller with dignified carelessness that he would call and settle when he
should be passing presently, he displayed some perturbation of spirit, and
muttered a few remarks about payment on delivery, and no trust, and other
unpleasant subjects, but was fain to content himself with inquiring at what hour
it was likely the gentleman would call, in order
