Takes me in head, long before legs. Do you a sprint down the
street--even money--when we're outside. . . . Wha's this? Oh, the
bill. . . . Thought it was more spaghetti. . . . Yes, I know. . . .
Custom of house . . . pay the signora in the brass cage. My dear
sir, if you'll 'scuse fam'liarity--'
"'Right,' said I, as he dived a hand into his pocket and fetched out
a fistful of coin. 'Here's half-a-crown for Giovanni--he will now
run along and poison somebody else. This being your show, I further
abstract two sovereigns for the bill. I shall, I perceive, have to
hand you ninepence in cash with the receipt. . . . But since you are
intoxicated and I am what in any less sepulchral caravanserai might
be described as merry, let us order our retreat with military
precision. First, then, I fetch you yonder magnificent garment which
has been drawing revolutionary hatred upon us ever since we
entered . . .'
"'It was a present from Maria,' he said, as I helped him into it.
'Her last. She said it was a real sable.'
"'She spoke truthfully,' I assured him.
Pages:
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127