14 January 1826

Smashed Percy the Penny Pig – v. satisfying – and took the contents, amounting to three shillings and six, to Oddenbury. He is a nasty, greasy-looking fellow, like most of his second-hand garments, but gave me a penny discount when I discovered a tear in the lining – luck! For, setting that aside, it is sich a fine weskit! Pure white silk with fine French quilting and gold thread border!! 

There was more good fortune when I arrived home – at last! – an invitation from Gregwood Forsythe. Perhaps the aristocracy is a valuable institution after all. It read: 

 5½ Buckingham Street

Adelphi

London 

 Dear Charley, 

I am holding a select supper party at my digs, tomorrow evening, five p.m., for a select group of acquaintances – viz. you me and dear old Sykes, haha! – at which I hope to have the pleasure of your amusing company, young Dickens! 

Yours, Gregs F. 

The letter is over familiar but I am inclined to allow it. 

Mama was very excited on my behalf and said perhaps I should take Fanny; but I told her that I expected it was only a light supper for us young bachelors. I do not know why Fanny should have laughed so hard at this. In any case, I showed her the tear in the waistcoat before she left for her evening lesson. She said she would sew it up but it would make me ‘look like a plump little goose’, and that it was a good thing for my safety that it was not Christmas. 

Girls, I fear, simply do not understand the finer points of masculine attire.