"I would not go on with it, Corrie, if I were you, till I made sure."
"Why?"
"Because the gentleman who made the contract with you by word of mouth is dead."
"Dead!"
"Died this morning, suddenly, I grieve to say."
Old Corrie took his pipe from his mouth, and sent a look of reproach in the direction of the laughing jackass, from whose throat proceeded a faint gurgle of laughter. At this look the quaint bird--as odd a specimen of the feathered tribes as Old Corrie was of the human race--checked--its mirth, and cocking its head knowingly on one side, inquired with its speaking eye what was the matter.
"That's bad news, Master Basil."
"The worst of news, Corrie."
"Died suddenly?"
"Quite suddenly. It is a great shock."