_Headman_
Your Lordship’s observation is ever keen. Only, as you have to keep
an eye on so many things, one or two may perchance escape your
notice. For instance, there’s our No. 95, a distant connection of
mine by marriage, ever ready to make sandals for the feet of Your
Lordship’s sweeper out of his own ribs,--so irrepressibly loyal is
he that even his wife hangs her head for very shame,--and yet up to
now----
_Governor_
His name has been entered in the High Register.
_Headman_
Ah, then his lifelong service will at last receive its reward! The
news must be broken to him gently, because he gets epileptic fits,
and supposing suddenly----
_Governor_
All right, we’ll see to that. Now be off, there’s no time.
_Headman_
Just a word about another person,--though he’s my own brother-in-law.
When his mother died, my wife brought him up with her own hands; yet
for my master’s sake----
_Governor_
You can tell me about him another time. Run away now.
_Headman_
There comes His Honour the Deputy Governor. Please speak a word to
him on my behalf. He doesn’t look upon me with favour. I suspect that
when 69 Ng used to enjoy the favour of free entry into the palace, he
must have been saying things against me.
_Governor_