“Never mind what I am, sir, and have the goodness to keep your place.”
“Yes, my lord. Salaam maha—”
“Stop!” cried Ned, angrily. “I don’t want you to do that tomfoolery to me.”
The lad made a grimace, and meekly crossed his hands upon his breast.
“Now, sir, have the goodness to tell me why I was a jolly fool, and so green, as you call it. Pity people can’t teach you foreigners something better than slang. Now then—answer.”
“Well, to go and stand under that tree with a croc stalking you.”
“Croc stalking you? What do you mean?”
“Don’t you know the river’s full of crocodiles?”
“I know there are some there.”
“Some!” cried the lad. “Why, it’s as full as a pond is of sticklebacks.”