“You are poor, friend, and penniless.”
“But is poverty, sir, a crime?”
“Oh no, friend, poverty is not a crime; but you must own, Mr. Smith, that an empty pocket is very inconvenient for a thirsty soul.”
“How do you know, sir, that my pocket’s empty?”
“My knowledge of the fact, friend, is derived from your own confession.”
“But, sir, I never confessed to you, ’cause why, I never saw you before.”
“You speak truly on that point, friend Vulcan; nevertheless, I must tell you I heard your confession to-night at the Jolly Fiddler.”
“I did not see you there, sir.”
“Perhaps not. I was there, notwithstanding; and I heard you declaring to Will, the landlord, that you then parted with the last sixpence.”
“If I’ve spent all, sir, I can work and earn more.”