"Ah! mon Dieu! Antoinette, priez le gentilhomme de 'asseoir."
The leetle gal offered me a stool, but I didn't set down.
"Mounseer," said I, in some French manufactured for the occasion, "I havey broughtee you sommey oysteries," and I showed him the kittle, with the kiver off.
I thought his eyes kind of vatered at the sight, but he sighed, and turnin' to the leetle gal, said,—
"Antoinette, dites à Monsieur, que je n'ai plus d'argent—pas un sou."
I guessed it was something about money, so afore the leetle gal could translate it, I sang out,—
"I don't want no money, Mounseer; these here are free gratis, for nothin' at all. I always treats my customers once in a while."
That was a lie, Samivel—but never mind, I gin him a dozen, and the old fellur seemed to like 'em fust rate. Then I offered him some more, but he hung back. However I made him swallow 'em, and offered some to the leetle gal.
"After grandpapa," said she.
So I offered him some more.