Page:Henry Northcote (IA henrynorthcote00snairich).pdf/51

 in the heavens, without form and without meaning to the human eyes."

"Or it ees like a young wine, sare; it must be allowed time to mature," said Jools.

"It is the worst feature, Jools," said the solicitor, "of this claret of yours, that it always unlocks the door for these pleasantries. And this British skull of mine is so packed with business, that with our shopkeeping instinct of transacting a little of it whenever and wherever we can, before we fall upon the latest theories in regard to the composition of matter, with every reluctance, I shall ask you and your distinguished compatriot to withdraw for the space of one hour."

"Personally," said Northcote, "I believe the universe is not made up of matter at all."

"In other words, sir," said the chef, "matter is—"

"I ask your pardon, my friends," said the solicitor; "but with true Britannic effrontery, this business of mine even seeks to take precedence of the mystery of the universe."

"There is no such thing as the universe," said Northcote, draining his glass with great decision. "The whole of it is contained within ourselves."

"Peace, peace!" said the solicitor. "We will resume our speculations, with the permission of our good friends, in the space of one hour."

Filled with every fraternal and complacent feeling, Jools and his distinguished compatriot bowed smilingly, and with a profound regard for the solicitor and the advocate, retired, in opposite directions, to those spheres of activity in which there was none to dispute their supremacy.