_Green_.--"Look at our estimate."
_Red_.--"Look at _our_ estimate."
_Green_.--"Peep at our charges."
_Red_.--"Five years' credit."
_Green_.--"Come with us, sir," tugging me to the right.
_Red_.--"This way, master," pulling me to the left.
_Green_.--"Be advised; he'll rob you."
_Red_.--"If you go he'll murder you."
"Damn you both!" I roared; and letting fly both fists at the same time,
I turned them both together on their backs and thus put an end to the
conversation. Only just in time, though, for the remaining ten tribes,
or their representatives, were hurrying towards me, each one swaying
aloft a gaudy-coloured tract; and I saw no way of escaping but by fairly
making a run for it, which I accordingly did, pursued by the ten tribes;
and even had I been a centipede, I would have assuredly been torn limb
from limb, had I not just then rushed into the arms of my feline friend
from Bond Street.
He purred, gave me a paw and many congratulations; was so glad I had
passed,--but, to be sure, knew I would,--and so happy I had escaped the
Jews; would I take a glass of beer?
I said, "I didn't mind;" so we adjourned (the right word in the right
place--adjourned) to a quiet adjoining hotel.
"Now," said he, as he tendered the waiter a five-pound Bank of England
note, "you must not take it amiss, Doctor, but--"
"No smaller change, sir?" asked the waiter.
"I'm afraid," said my friend (?), opening and turning over the contents
of a well-lined pocket-book, "I've only got five--oh, here are sovs, he!
he!" Then turning to me: "I was going to observe," he continued, "that
if you want a pound or two, he! he!--you know young fellows will be
young fellows--only don't say a word to my father, he! he! he!--highly
respectable man. Another glass of beer? No? Well, we will go and see
father!"
"But," said I, "I really must go home first."
"Oh dear no; don't think of such a thing."
"I'm deuced hungry," continued I.
"My dear sir, excuse me, but it is just our dinner hour; nice roast
turkey, and boiled leg of mutton with--"
"Any pickled pork?"
"He! he! now you young _officers_ will have your jokes; but, he! he!
though we don't just eat pork, you'll find us just as good as most
Christians. Some capital wine--very old brand; father got it from the
Cape only the other day; in fact, though I should not mention these
things, it was sent us by a grateful customer. But come, you're hungry,
we'll get a cab."