"And so absent; you should just see him. The other day he lifted his spectacles to read a deed, and his eyes were as red and glaring as fiery coals."
"He was right. 'Short reckonings make long friends!'"
"Let me say a word. I will tell you, gentlemen, something very strange. I handed this deed to the governor, and it was topsy-turvy."
"The governor? How strange! What could he mean by topsy-turvying thus? Enough to choke him, unless, as you say, his habits are so completely altered."
"Oh, what a fellow you are, Chalamel! I say I gave him the deed wrong end up'ards."
"Wasn't he in a rage?"
"Not the slightest. He did not even notice it, but kept his great red eyes fixed upon it for at least ten minutes, and then handed me back the deed, saying, 'Very good!'"
"What, still topsy-turvy?"
"Yes."
"Then he couldn't have read it?"