Then, being only human, he sighed deeply and pitied himself mightily by contrast.
CHAPTER LIX
WHICH RELATES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HOW BARNABAS LOST HIS HAT
Now as Barnabas stood thus, he heard another sigh, and glancing up beheld Mr. Shrig seated at the little Cobbler's bench, with a guttering candle at his elbow and a hat upon his fist, which he appeared to be examining with lively interest.
"Sir," said he, as Barnabas approached, wondering, "I'm taking the liberty o' looking at your castor."
"Oh!" said Barnabas.
"Sir, it's a werry good 'at as 'ats go, but it's no kind of an 'at for you to-night."
"And why not, Mr. Shrig?"
"Because it ain't much pertection ag'in windictiveness—in the shape of a bludgeon, shall ve say, and as for a brick—v'y, Lord! And theer's an uncommon lot of windictiveness about to-night; it's a-vaiting for you—as you might say—round the corner."
"Really, Mr. Shrig, I'm afraid I don't understand you."