Runciman might introduce into it any one he pleased. I do
not know that a similar privilege was denied to any one else; but
as Mr. Runciman had a direct pecuniary advantage in promoting the
club, the new-comers were generally ushered in by him. When the
attorney and Twentyman entered the room Mr. Runciman was seated as
usual in an arm-chair at the corner of the fire nearest to the
door, with the bell at his right hand. He was a hale, good-looking
man about fifty, with black hair, now turning grey at the edges,
and a clean-shorn chin. He had a pronounced strong face of his own,
one capable of evincing anger and determination when necessary, but
equally apt for smiles or, on occasion, for genuine laughter. He
was a masterful but a pleasant man, very civil to customers and to
his friends generally while they took him the right way; but one
who could be a Tartar if he were offended, holding an opinion that
his position as landlord of an inn was one requiring masterdom. And
his wife was like him in everything,--except in this, that she
always submitted to him. He was a temperate man in the main; but on
Saturday nights he would become jovial, and sometimes a little
quarrelsome. When this occurred the club would generally break
itself up and go home to bed, not in the least offended. Indeed Mr.
Runciman was the tyrant of the club, though it was held at his
house expressly with the view of putting money into his pocket.
Pages:
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45