Meanwhile, the company below stairs, after listening attentively and
not hearing any noise which would justify them in interfering for
the gratification of their curiosity, returned to the chamber of the
Kenwigses, and employed themselves in hazarding a great variety of
conjectures relative to the cause of Mr Noggs' sudden disappearance and
detention.
'Lor, I'll tell you what,' said Mrs Kenwigs. 'Suppose it should be an
express sent up to say that his property has all come back again!'
'Dear me,' said Mr Kenwigs; 'it's not impossible. Perhaps, in that case,
we'd better send up and ask if he won't take a little more punch.'
'Kenwigs!' said Mr Lillyvick, in a loud voice, 'I'm surprised at you.'
'What's the matter, sir?' asked Mr Kenwigs, with becoming submission to
the collector of water-rates.
'Making such a remark as that, sir,' replied Mr Lillyvick, angrily. 'He
has had punch already, has he not, sir? I consider the way in which that
punch was cut off, if I may use the expression, highly disrespectful to
this company; scandalous, perfectly scandalous. It may be the custom to
allow such things in this house, but it's not the kind of behaviour
that I've been used to see displayed, and so I don't mind telling you,
Kenwigs.
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