Good Books

"
"That I do, Guv," cried the old man, "an' give ye advice worth its
weight in solid gold; you owe me a lot, s' 'elp me."
"About how much?"
"Well, Guv, I ain't got me ledger-book 'andy, but roughly speakin' I
should say about five or six 'undred dollars. But seein' you 's you an'
I'm me--a old man true-'earted as never crossed nobody--let's
say--fifteen dollars."
"Why, you old--thievin'--vagabone!" gasped Joe, as Ravenslee gravely
handed over the money.
"Vagabone yourself!" said the Old Un, counting the bills over in
trembling fingers. "The Guv wants a bath--take 'im away--'ook it, d'j
'ear?"
"Has Patterson got everything ready, Joe?" enquired Ravenslee, taking up
his clothes.
"No, sir," mumbled Joe, "but I'll have ye bath ready in a jiffy, sir."
"But where's Patterson?"
"Well, 'e--'e 's out, sir."
"And the footmen?"
"They're out, sir."
"Oh! And the housekeeper--er--what's her name--Mrs. Smythe?"
"Gone to call on her relations, sir."
"Ah! And the maids?"
"Mrs. Smythe give 'em leave of habsence, sir.


Pages:
201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225