“Greens?” said the host;—but whether alluding to the verdant character of his guests, or merely making a polite inquiry as to the article they desired, it was impossible, from his tone and manner, to divine.
“Greens!” echoed Spriggs, indignantly; “no:—peas and 'taters.”
“Directly, Sir,” replied the landlord; and taking charge of the two leetle birds, he departed, to prepare them for the table.
“Vot a rum cove that 'ere is,” said Grubb.
“Double stout, eh?” said Spriggs, and then they both fell to a-laughing; “and certain it is, that, although the artist has only given us a draught of the landlord, he was a subject sufficient for a butt!
“Vell! I must, say,” said Grubb, stretching his weary legs under the mahogany, “I never did spend sich a pleasant day afore—never!”
“Nor I,” chimed in Spriggs, “and many a day ven I'm a chopping up the 'lump' shall I think on it. It's ralely bin a hout and houter! Lauk! how Suke vill open her heyes, to be sure, ven I inform her how ve've bin out with two real guns, and kill'd our own dinner. I'm bless'd if she'll swallow it!”
“I must say ve have seen a little life,” said Grubb.
“And death too,” added Spriggs. “Vitness the pig!”
“Now don't!” remonstrated Grubb, who was rather sore upon this part of the morning's adventures.