“Diable!” cried the Marquis. “Leetle bad man stop short! Mon Dieu! What can it was?”
“Halfred!” I cried, indignantly. “Cease! What is the meaning of this?”
“Beg pardon, sir,” said Halfred, desisting, but unabashed at my anger. “You told me yourself, sir, as ow I was to do it.”
“I told you? Explain! Come into my room.”
I brought the two combatants in, closed the door, and repeated, sternly:
“Explain, sir!”
“This is the furriner as haccosted Miss Titch, sir,” said Halfred, doggedly, “and you said as 'ow I'd better practise my boxing on 'im. I didn't spot 'im the other night, but Miss Titch she seed 'im this morning and told me.”
“I know not the meaning you mean when you speak so fast!” cried the Marquis. “But I see you are intoxicate, foddled and squiff. Small beast, to damn with you!”
