"If I did we should get wet to the skin, young Ishmael," objected Morris.
"All right, professor. The wetter we get the better we shall be prepared to fight the fire."
"That is true enough, young Ishmael," admitted Morris.
"And besides, if you let the umbrella down you can furl it and use it for a walking-stick, and instead of being a hindrance it will be a help to you."
"That is a good idea, young Ishmael. Upon my word, I think if you had been born in a higher speer of society, young Ishmael, your talents would have caused you to be sent to the State's legislature, I do indeed. And you might even have come to be put on the Committee of Ways and Means."
"I hope that is not a committee of mean ways, professor."
"Ha, ha, ha! There you are again! I say it and I stand to it, if you had been born in a more elevated speer you would have ris' to be something!"
"Law, professor!"
"Well, I do! and it is a pity you hadn't been! As it is, my poor boy, you will have to be contented to do your duty 'in that station to which the Lord has been pleased to call you,' as the Scriptur' says."
"As the catechism says, professor! The Scripture says nothing about stations. The Lord in no respecter of persons."