“‘I wish him a safe return then,’ I replied.
“‘Aye, a safe return, with plenty of prize money,’ she quickly added.
“‘Be it as you wish,’ I replied.
“‘Are you going to see your friends?’ she asked.
“‘I’m going to stay with them, I hope.’
“‘Well, I’ll tell you what I’ll do,’ said the dame. ‘I’ll just give you sixpence for the drawers, and that’s what I call dealing handsomely with you.’
“‘Could you not give me something more, mother,’ I said, trying to soften her by that tender appellation, though but with small hope of success.
“‘Not one half-farthing more shall I give, if you talk till night,’ said the dame, ‘and if I ever get the money back again, I shall be lucky.’
“I still chaffered with her, trying to obtain a small advance, but it was of no use, and considering that I might dodge round the whole town, and be no better, I resigned the drawers.
“‘Where’s the napkin they were tied in?’ she asked.