'You disappeared, I uttered incoherent sentences, and next morning resumed my station at a corner of the garden.'
'At which corner?' asked I.
'Why really,' said he, 'I cannot explain; for the place was then new to me, and the ground was covered with snow.'
'With snow!' cried I. 'Why I thought you were eating wild strawberries only the day before.'
'I!' said he. 'Sure you mistake.'
'I declare most solemnly you told me so,' cried I.
'Why then,' said he, 'curse me if I did.'
'Sir,' said I. 'I must remark that your manners——'
'Bless me!' cried he, 'yes, I did say so, sure enough, and I did eat wild strawberries too; but they were preserved wild strawberries. I had got a small crock of them from an oyster woman, who was opening oysters in a meadow, for a hysterical butcher; and her knife having snapt in two, I lent her my sword; so, out of gratitude, she made me a present of the preserves. By the bye, they were mouldy.
'One morning, as I sat at the side of the road, asking alms, some provincial players passed by me. I accosted them, and offered my services. In short, they took me with them; I performed, was applauded; and at length my fame reached London, where I have now been acting some years, with much success; anxious as I am, to realize a little money, that I may return, in disguise, to my native country, and petition Napoleon to restore my forfeited estates.