In spite of himself Bertie grinned, and his eyes glistened at the idea of spoiling the usher. Mr. Shane stared at him, as well he might. He spoke with a sort of little pause between each word, as though he were doubtful if he had heard aright.
"You want me to lend you a shilling or two?--me?"
"Yes. I'll let you have it back as soon as, I can, and I'm in an awful hole, or I wouldn't ask you. Do lend it me!"
Mr. Shane stood up, with a curious agitation in his air.
"I haven't got it."
"Not got it I Not got a shilling or two! Oh, I say, come!"
"I haven't got a penny in the world."
"Not got a penny in the world! Oh, I say, aren't you piling it on!"
"Not a penny; not a penny in the world; not one. I'm a beggar!"
Mr. Shane's agitation was so curious, and the air with which he proclaimed himself a beggar was so wild, that Bertie's surprise grew apace. He wondered whether, as he might himself have phrased it, the usher had a tile loose in his head.