“It may be so,” said Merrywell; “I am not fly{1} to the subject at present; perhaps Sparkle could by this time unravel some of its mysteries, and give beneficial lessons to us all: however, time is flying, we will just make one more turn, and then to dinner with what appetite we may. Do you observe the pericranium topp'd with a Prussian cap, and the wearer with a pipe in his mouth?”
1 Fit—To be up to any thing, to understand, to know, or be awake.
“I was on the point of enquiry,” said Bob; “Pray who is he?”
“That is another Captain.”
“Who! One would almost think you have the whole army of Martyrs confined here,” said Tallyho; “at all events, your ranks are not deficient of officers.”
“But then,” said Dashall, “they are out of commission and out of practice.”
“For want of command,” continued Merrywell; “though Capt. S——, although never made a Commander in Chief, has been an exalted character, having once been made inspector of the pavement,{1} or in other words knapp'd the stoop; and, if report says true, he has also figured away in other situations equally honourable—a flash turf man—a naval character, and a smuggler. But come, I have given you a sort of index by which you may read, mark, and learn more, when we are more at leisure. It is now half past three o'clock, and punctuality is always my motto.”
1 Inspector of the pavement, or knapp'd the stoop—Cant term for the pillory.
“Humph,” ejaculated Tom; “Cash down, and no grumbling.”
“D——n severity,” was the reply; “no more of that, or we cut: touch my honour, and you touch my life.”