“It’s a rum ’un, sir, all round, and always was. But I say, sir, it’s easy to see what’s the matter with you.”
“Oh, nonsense, nonsense, Mr Oakum!” said the tall fellow, blushing like a girl.
“It’s only natur’, sir,” said Sam, sympathetically, as he gave a good twist to his quid, and winked at one of the blacks. “It ain’t nothin’ to be ashamed on.”
“Ah; Mr Oakum, I wish I was in such favour as you are over yonder.”
“You would not like to pay the cost, sir, I know.”
“Pay the cost, Mr Oakum; what do you mean?”
“It’s only we ugly ones as enjoys these privileges with the fair sect. You wouldn’t like to be old and ugly like me, to be talked to as I am.”
“Ah, Mr Oakum, I would be her dog if she would be fond of me—or a bird,” he said, enthusiastically. “Ah, if I had only thought of it before I started.”
“Thought o’ what, sir?” said Sam, winking at the black again.
“Of bringing a few canaries. They are such nice presents to give a lady.”