“And you said you hadn’t practised much.”
“Well, sir, I haven’t,” said Billy coolly.
“Billy, you’re a sham,” said Mark angrily.
“All right, sir! I don’t mind.”
“You get one into a muddle like this, and then are no use at all.”
“No, sir. That’s about it,” said Billy coolly, and all the time as serious as a judge. “I wish we’d got Jack here!”
“What’s the good of him?—to send up the trees after cocoa-nuts?”
“Now, now, now, Mr Mark, sir, don’t be hard on a fellow! I did think as he’d send some down; and I believe now as he wouldn’t because I give him a cuff o’ the head that morning for sucking the end o’ my hankychy.”
“Here, come along, and let’s keep together.”
“All right, sir!”