“She won’t take a refusal. And, hark you! there’s such wine!”
“I shall be delighted. Boy, bring along the baggage with you.”
“Hold,” cries the “boy.” “Don’t you see it was a joke of mine, dressing you up as Hercules? Come, hand over the club and the skin.”
“You are not going to take the things away when you gave me them yourself.”
“Yes, but I am: a pretty Hercules you would be. Come, hand them over.”
“Well; if I must, I must. But I shouldn’t wonder if you were sorry for it sooner or later.”
It turns out to be sooner rather than later. As soon as the exchange is made, two landladies appear on the scene. Hercules had committed other misdemeanors besides stealing the dog.
First Landlady. “This is the villain. He came to my house, and ate sixteen loaves.”
The Slave (aside). “Some one is getting into trouble.”
First Landlady. “Yes, and twenty fried cutlets at three-half-pence apiece.”