"Only a year ago, Mr. Juggins, you referred to me emphatically as an old pirate," he said.
Juggins was naturally overwhelmed.
His sins had found him out.
Of course he tried to stammer out excuses, and how he had regretted his indiscreet act ever since.
"No, I'm not a pirate, Mr. Juggins, I wish you to distinctly understand that—I'm only a sort of freebooter. This (biff-bing) won't cost you a cent."
And Juggins went out of that senatorial mansion a sadder and a wiser man.
That was why he took to drink.
I've known the poor fellow to have the delirium tremens, and see all manner of goblins.