You know sometimes, when you are used to a
pretty face, how, when it comes into contact and com-
parison with another pretty face, it seems for the mo-
ment to be homely and faded, and hardly to deserve
the high opinion you have had of it. Now, this was
not at all the case, either with Dot or May; for May's
face set off Dot's, and Dot's face set off May's, so
naturally and agreeably, that, as John Peerybingle
was very near saying when he came into the room,
they ought to have been born sisters -- which was the
only improvement you could have suggested.
Tackleton had brought his leg of mutton, and,
wonderful to relate, a tart beside -- but we don't mind
a little dissipation when our brides are in the case;
we don't get married every day -- and in addition to
these dainties, there were the Veal and Ham-Pie, and
'things,' as Mrs. Peerybingle called them; which were
chiefly nuts and oranges, and cakes, and such small
deer. When the repast was set forth on the board,
flanked by Caleb's contribution, which was a great
wooden bowl of smoking potatoes (he was prohibited,
by solemn compact, from producing any other viands),
Tackleton led his intended mother-in-law to the post
of honour.
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