“Why, sir, here’s where there was a whole lot o’ cases o’ champagne stored, and they fished them out, and left this here hole as we’re in. I wouldn’t mind a drop o’ that now to cheer us up again. It’s werry good stuff, ain’t it?”
“What, champagne, Bob? I don’t know. They say it is, but I never tasted it.”
“More didn’t we, sir,” said Bob.
“You speak for yourself, old man,” said Barney.
“Well, you ain’t tasted it, and you know it,” growled Bob, “so tell the truth.”
“Well, I can’t say as ever I did taste champagne,” said Barney, “but I’ve had a bottle—ay, bottles and bottles—o’ what comes next to it, and fizzles up wonderful.”
“Why, what does?”
“Joeydone, or Sueydone, or something like that they calls it. It arn’t so very bad. Might go now, sir, mightn’t I?”
“Well, yes, if you mean to try.”
“Oh yes, I mean to try, sir,” he said. “Dessay I can manage it. Shall I start?”