"I mean the Book of Life," I answered; "you have lived while I have only dreamed, so far."
"Why, to be sure, I've seen a good deal o' life and something o' death, one way or another. I've known friendship and loneliness, plenty and poverty, been hooted and cheered and had a prince shake my fist—"
"What for?"
"'T was arter I'd beat the Chelsea Snob, him as licked the Bristol Slasher; they thought the Snob would eat me but—ah, well these were days o' vanity, brother, and no grace about me—no, not a ha'porth."
"Please tell me of it."
"Well, I was fighting for Sir Jervas then, him they call 'The
Firebrand'—"
"Do you mean Sir Jervas Vereker?"
"Aye, I do—one o' the bang-up nobs, a tip o' the tippies, but the best sportsman and truest friend ever man fought for—"
"Good!" quoth I.
"D'ye happen to know him, brother?" enquired Jessamy, with another look of mild surprise.