I had finished my ale. I sidled towards the door.

"I fear that does not necessarily follow."

The man advanced.

"Look 'ere, if I was to ask you to lend me ninepence----"

"Excuse me. I'm afraid I must be off."

And I was off.

I have a moral conviction that if I had stayed much longer that man

would have tried to wriggle ninepence out of me.

Frivolities, Especially Addressed to Those Who Are Tired of Being Serious · 第 41 / 55 题