Grac. Hasn’t he paid back his creditors?
Turd. He has betaken himself to a place of retreat, and made over his books one by one at a quarter of their cost price.
Grac. Is this what you call “cooking,” when nothing could be more raw. But how did he lose the money?
Turd. I have heard lately from his father with regard to that, but I have not yet fully understood the matter. The father said that he had made most prodigal borrowings, which would skin him and swallow him up to the bones.
Grac. What do you mean by “borrowings” and what by “skinning”?
Turd. I don’t quite know, but I believe it has something to do with theft.
XV. The Tumbler
Nugo. Do you see, there, that fat man? You would scarcely think it possible to move him. Yet he is a tumbler and rope-dancer (funambulus).
Grac. Ah! be quiet! You are saying something which is incredible.