“Certainly, Robbins, certainly. There—there—that’s it. I.O.U. five pounds—Barmouth. Thank you, Robbins; you are a most valuable servant.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
“I’ve put you down for something handsome in my will, Robbins, so that if I should die some day, as I probably shall, you’ll burn these I.O.U.s, Robbins, and pay yourself out of what I’ve left.”
“Certainly, my lord; but suppose—”
“The will is disputed? Oh no, Robbins, I can do what I like with my money then, and I shall not be ungrateful.”
The old man took the five pounds and went off, chuckling with delight at being able to supply Tom with a little hard cash next time that gentleman was short, which would be next day; while the butler said something to himself which sounded like—
“Poor old magpie. Well, he ain’t a bad sort, and that’s more than you can say of the dragon.”