"Do, Hucky, do lend me a few shillings. 'Pon my soul, I've not a sixpence in the whole world."
"Ha, ha! A pretty chap to borrow! You can pay so well! By George, Titmouse, you're a cool hand!"
"If you won't lend me, I must starve."
"Go to my uncle's." [Titmouse groaned aloud.] "Well—and why not? What of that?" continued Huckaback, sharply and bitterly. "I dare say it wouldn't be the first time you've done such a trick no more than me. I've been obligated to do it. Why shouldn't you? A'n't there that ring?"
"Oh, Lord! oh, Lord! that's just what Mrs. Squallop said last night!"
"Whew! She's down on you, is she? And you have the face to come to me!! You—that's a-going to be sold up, come to borrow! Lord, that's good, anyhow! A queer use that to make of one's friends;—it's a taking them in, I say!"
"Oh, Huck, Huck, if you only knew what a poor devil"——
"Yes, that's what I was a-saying; but it a'n't 'poor devils' one lends money to so easily, I warrant me; though you a'n't such a poor devil—you're only shamming! Where's your guard-chain, your studs, your breast-pin, your ring, and all that? Sell 'em! if not, anyhow, pawn 'em. Can't eat your cake and have it; fine back must have empty belly with us sort of chaps."
"If you'll only be so uncommon kind as to lend me—this once—ten shillings," continued Titmouse, in an imploring tone, "I'll bind myself, by a solemn oath, to pay you the very first moment I get what's due to me from Tag-rag & Co."—— Here he was almost choked by the sudden recollection that he had next to nothing to receive.
"You've some property in the moon, too, that's coming to you, you know!" said Huckaback, with an insulting sneer.