“And when, pray, were you there?” said he.
“Yesterday, sir, your nephew asked me to come and see him.”
“The impudent little blackguard?” cried he.
“I hope you ain't angry, sir?”
“Angry with you?—no, my lad; you're an active little chap, and I wish that imp of mine would take a pattern by you. Trot along, and mind you have 'a lift' both ways.”
Off I went, as light as a balloon when the ropes are cut.
I executed my commission with dispatch, and completely won the favour of Mr. Wallis, by returning the money which he had given me for coach-hire.
“How's this?—you didn't tramp, did you?” said he.
“No, sir, I rode both ways,” I replied; “but I knew the coachmen, and they gave me a cast for nothing.”
“Umph!—well, that's quite proper—quite proper,” said he, considering a moment. “Honesty's the best policy.”