Host. What do you want of me?
Grain. Have I the honor of speaking to Citizen Prosper?—the host of The Green Cockatoo?
Host. I am he.
Grain. My name is Grain, sometimes Carniche—very often Shrieking Pumice-stone; but I was sent to prison, Citizen Prosper, under the name of Grain, and that is the real point.
Host. Ah, I understand. You want to play in my establishment and start off with playing me. Good. Go on.
Grain. Citizen Prosper, don't look upon me as a swindler. I am a man of honor. If I tell you that I was imprisoned, 'tis the complete truth.
[Host looks at him suspiciously.]
Grain (pulling a paper out of his pocket). Here, Citizen Prosper, you can see from this that I was let out yesterday afternoon at four o'clock.
Host. After two years' imprisonment! Zounds, 'tis genuine!
Grain. Were you all the time doubting it, then. Citizen Prosper?