We all laughed, of course, and the Chinaman joined in. Then, growing serious directly, he looked from one to the other.
“You likee dlink?”
“No, no, not yet,” cried Barkins.
“No likee dlink?” said the Chinaman wonderingly; and then in a voice full of reproof, “Sailor boy likee dlink.”
“Oh yes, by and by,” cried Smith.
“Ah, you wantee buy fan, shawl, ivoly? Fancee shop.”
“No, no, we don’t want to buy anything now,” cried Barkins. “We’ll pay you—”
“Allee light,” cried the man, brightening up, for he had looked disappointed, and he held out both hands for the promised pay.
“Oh, come, wait a bit,” I said. “We want you to take us and show us the shops.”
“No, no. Shop no good. Bess shop—fancee shop, Ching.”