It was certainly sudden, but then, as perhaps you have discovered ere now, I am not the most prudent of men. This little, cheerful Halfred had taken my fancy enormously, and my heart was warmed towards him.
“Halfred,” I asked, abruptly, “are you still an honest young man?”
Halfred looked at me sharply, with a true cockney's suspicion of what he feared might be “chaff.”
“You ain't a-pulling my leg, sir?” he inquired, guardedly.
“On the contrary, I am taking your hand as an honest and experienced valet, Halfred.”
“You knows of a gentleman as wants one?” said he.
“I do,” I answered, with conviction.
“It ain't yourself, sir?”
“It is,” said I.
“Blimy!” exclaimed Halfred, in an audible aside.