CHAPTER XVI.
AN INN—DEBTS PAID IN ADVANCE, AND A SINGULAR TOUCH OF HUMAN NATURE FOUND CLOSELY INCORPORATED WITH MONIKIN NATURE
We soon secured rooms, ordered dinner, brushed our clothes, and made the other little arrangements that it was necessary to observe for the credit of the species. Everything being ready, we left the inn, and hurried towards the “Palais des Arts et des Sciences.” We had not got out of sight of the inn, however, before one of its garçons was at our heels with a message from his mistress. He told us, in very respectful tones, that his master was out, and that he had taken with him the key of the strong-box; that there was not actually money enough in the drawer to furnish an entertainment for such great persons as ourselves, and she had taken the liberty to send us a bill receipted, with a request that we would make a small advance, rather than reduce her to the mortification of treating such distinguished guests in an unworthy manner. The bill read as follows:—
| No. 1 parti-color and friends, | |
| To No. 82,763 grape-color. | Dr. |
| To use of apartments, with meals and lights, as per agreement, p.p. 300 per diem—one day, | p.p. 300 |
| By cash advanced, | 50 |
| —— | |
| Balance due, p.p. 250 |
“This seems all right,” I observed to Noah; but I am, at this moment, as penniless as the good woman herself. I really do not see what we are to do, unless Bob sends her back his store of nuts—”
“Harkee, my nimble-go-hop,” put in the seaman, “what is your pleasure?”
The waiter referred to the bill, as expressing his mistress’s wants.
“What are these p. p. that I find noted in the bill—play or pay, hey?”
“Promises, of course, your honor.”
“Oh! then you desire fifty promises, to provide our dinner.”
“Nothing more, sir. With that sum you shall dine like noblemen—ay, sir, like aldermen.”