Sam thought as 'ow the whiskey 'ad got to Mr. Goodman's 'ead at last. 'Owever, to pacify 'im he promised to do wot 'e was told, and next morning, when they was all at breakfast, he looks over and catches Mr. Goodman's eye.
“I wonder if I might be so bold as to ask a favor of you?” he ses.
“Certainly,” ses Peter's uncle, “and glad I shall be to oblige you. There is no man I've got a greater respect for.”
“Thankee,” ses Sam. “The fact is, I've run a bit short owing to paying a man some money I owed 'im. If you could lend me five pounds, I couldn't thank you enough.”
Mr. Goodman put down 'is knife and fork and wrinkled up 'is forehead.
“I'm very sorry,” he ses, feeling in 'is pockets; “do you want it to-day?”
“Yes; I should like it,” ses Sam.
“It's most annoying,” ses Mr. Goodman, “but I was so afraid o' pickpockets that I didn't bring much away with me. If you could wait till the day arter to-morrow, when my money is sent to me, you can 'ave ten if you like.”
“You're very kind,” ses Sam, “but that 'ud be too late for me. I must try and get it somewhere else.” Peter and Ginger went on eating their breakfast, but every time Peter looked up he caught 'is uncle looking at 'im in such a surprised and disappointed sort o' way that 'e didn't like the look of it at all.
“I could just do it for a couple o' days, Sam,” he ses at last, “but it'll leave me very short.”