Albert took the tumbler, tasted, to see if it was neither too hot nor too cold, neither too sweet nor too bitter, neither too strong nor too weak, and when he had gained the conviction that it came fully up to his standard, he more than half emptied it at one draught.
"It goes down easily to-night," said Toby, good naturedly. "Try it again."
"You recollect that I commenced last summer at Grenwitz a foolish sort of a thing with a little black-eyed witch of a French girl?" continued Timm.
"I know," said Toby, smiling cunningly; "I know what's the matter now."
"No, you don't. The little thing was as shy as a wild-duck. In other respects, to be sure, she was as stupid, too, for you know she lent me, poor as I was, three hundred dollars, which she had put into the savings bank."
"That was noble in her."
"But now she wants them back."
"Did you give her a note?"
"No!"
"Why, then, you have only to say that you know nothing about it, and it's all right. Selah!"