But he came. He came exactly at the hour appointed, and when we looked at his face we felt convinced that he did not doubt his own success. There was an air of expectant triumph about him which dismayed us. It was clear enough that he was confident that he should take away with him the full price of his article, after deducting the sovereign which he had borrowed. “You like it thin,” he said, before we had been able to compose our features to a proper form for the necessary announcement.
“Mr. Molloy,” we said, “it will not do. You must believe us that it will not do.”
“Not do?”
“No, indeed. We need not explain further;—but,—but,—you had really better turn your hand to some other occupation.”
“Some other occupa-ation!” he exclaimed, opening wide his eyes, and holding up both his hands.
“Indeed we think so, Mr. Molloy.”
“And you’ve read it?”
“Every word of it;—on our honour.”
“And you won’t have it?”
“Well;—no, Mr. Molloy, certainly we cannot take it.”