“Better take—why, I’m blest!”
The remark was so emphatic that Richard looked the speaker in the face.
“Don’t you remember me, sir—axdent, sir—op’site your club, sir—me as knocked the lady down, sir?”
“Oh yes,” said Richard, “I remember you now. Not hurt, was she?”
“On’y shook, sir. But jump in, sir. Let me drive yer, sir. Here, I’ll take the portmanter.”
“No, no,” said Richard, “I don’t want to ride, I—there, confound it, man, what are you about?”
“No, ’fence, sir—I on’y wanted to drive a gent as was so kind as you was. Odd, aint it, sir? That there lady lives along o’ me, at my house, now—lodges, you know—’partments to let, furnished.”
“Apartments!” cried Richard, eagerly; “do you know of any apartments?”
“Plenty out Jermyn Street way, sir.”
“No, no; I mean cheap lodgings.”