Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul

by H. G. Wells

Buggins was already breathing regularly when Kipps spoke again. "Bug-gins," he said.

Buggins pretended to be asleep, and thickened his regular breathing (a little too hastily) to a snore.

"I say Buggins," said Kipps after an interval.

"What's up now?" said Buggins unamiably.

"'Spose you saw an advertisement in a paper, with your name in it, see, asking you to come and see someone, like, so as to hear of something very much to your——"

"Hide," said Buggins shortly.

"But——"

"I'd hide."

"Er?"