Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/28

{{c|{ 28 )}} it would be to no purpose for us to go thither to day, for by that time he was gone to the house. I asked him if he could recommend us to a lodging which he readily did by giving us a line to one of his acquaintance. About dinner-time, our landlord asked us how we proposed to live? To which we answered, that we would be directed by him. I followed his example, and found myself in the middle of a cook's shop, almost suffocated with the steams of boiled beef, and surrounded by a company, consisting chiefly of hackney coachmen, chairmen, draymen, and a few footmen out of place, or on board-wages, who were eating beef, tripe, cow-head, or sausages, at separate boards covered with cloths, which turned my stomach. While I stood amazed, undetermined whether to sit down or walk upwards again, Strap, in his descent, missing one of the steps tumbled headlong into this infernal ordinary and overturned the cook as she was carrying a porringer of soup to one of the guests.—In the afternoon, my companion proposed to call at his friend's house; and we were so lucky as to find him at home. This gentleman having received Strap very courteously, he inquired of him, who I was? And being informed, he took me by the hand, telling me he was at school with my father. When he understood my situation, he assured me, that he would do me all the service in his power.