A ghost-seeing effect in Joe's own countenance informed me that Herbert had entered the room. So, I presented Joe to Herbert, who held out his hand; but Joe backed from it, and held on by the bird's-nest.

     "Your servant, Sir," said Joe, "which I hope as you and Pip"--here his eye fell on the Avenger, who was putting some toast on table, and so plainly denoted an intention to make that young gentleman one of the family, that I frowned it down and confused him more--"I meantersay, you two gentlemen,--which I hope as you get your elths in this close spot? For the present may be a werry good inn, according to London opinions," said Joe, confidentially, "and I believe its character do stand; but I wouldn't keep a pig in it myself,--not in the case that I wished him to fatten wholesome and to eat with a meller flavor on him."