He has the faded appearance of a
gentleman in embarrassed circumstances; even his light whiskers droop with
something of a shabby air.
    His appetite is so vigorous, that it suggests spare living for some little
time back. He makes such a speedy end of his plate of veal and ham, bringing it
to a close while his companions are yet midway in theirs, that Mr. Guppy
proposes another. »Thank you, Guppy,« says Mr. Jobling, »I really don't know but
what I will take another.«
    Another being brought, he falls to with great good will.
    Mr. Guppy takes silent notice of him at intervals, until he is half way
through this second plate and stops to take an enjoying pull at his pint pot of
half-and-half (also renewed), and stretches out his legs and rubs his hands.
Beholding him in which glow of contentment, Mr. Guppy says:
    »You are a man again, Tony!«
    »Well, not quite, yet,« says Mr. Jobling. »Say, just born.«
    »Will you take any other vegetables? Grass? Peas? Summer cabbage?«
    »Thank you, Guppy,« says Mr. Jobling. »I really don't know but what I will
take summer cabbage.«
    Order given; with the sarcastic addition (from Mr. Smallweed) of »Without
slugs, Polly!« And cabbage produced.
    »I am growing up, Guppy,« says Mr. Jobling, plying his knife and fork with a
relishing steadiness.
    »Glad to hear it.«
    »In fact, I have just turned into my teens,« says Mr. Jobling.
    He says no more until he has performed his task, which he achieves as
Messrs. Guppy and Smallweed finish theirs; thus getting over the ground in
excellent style, and beating those two gentlemen easily by a veal and ham and a
cabbage.
    »Now, Small,« says Mr. Guppy, »what would you recommend about pastry?«
    »Marrow puddings,« says Mr. Smallweed, instantly.
    »Aye, aye!« cries Mr. Jobling, with an arch look. »You're there, are you?
Thank you, Mr. Guppy, I don't know but what I will take a marrow pudding.«
    Three marrow puddings being produced, Mr. Jobling adds, in a pleasant
humour, that he is coming of age fast. To these succeed, by command of Mr.
Smallweed, three Cheshires; and to those, three small rums