Miss Twinkleton brought a quantity of luggage with her, having all Rosa’s as well as her own. The Billickin took it ill that Miss Twinkleton’s mind, being sorely disturbed by this luggage, failed to take in her personal identity with that clearness of perception which was due to its demands. Stateliness mounted her gloomy throne upon the Billickin’s brow in consequence. And when Miss Twinkleton, in agitation taking stock of her trunks and packages, of which she had seventeen, particularly counted in the Billickin herself as number eleven, the B. found it necessary to repudiate.
“Things cannot too soon be put upon the footing,” said she, with a candour so demonstrative as to be almost obtrusive, “that the person of the ’ouse is not a box nor yet a bundle, nor a carpetbag. No, I am ’ily obleeged to you, Miss Twinkleton, nor yet a beggar.”
This last disclaimer had reference to Miss Twinkleton’s distractedly pressing two and sixpence on her, instead of the cabman.
Thus cast off, Miss Twinkleton wildly inquired, “which gentleman” was to be