"Well, but what did you summon me here for?" said the other; "you may as well speak out, I tell you; for, my good friend, unless _you_ do, _I_ shan't. Smell that."
"I smell more than that," said Bill; "and by the way, I'll thank you to give me the windy side of you--curse all sulphur, I say. There, that's what I call an improvement in my condition. But as you _are_ so stiff," says Bill, "why, the short and long of it is--that--hem--you see I'm--tut--sure you know I have a thriving trade of my own, and that if I like I needn't be at a loss; but in the meantime I'm rather in a kind of a so--so--don't you _take_?"
And Bill winked knowingly, hoping to trick him into the first proposal.
"You must speak above-board, my friend," says the other. "I'm a man of few words, blunt and honest. If you have anything to say, be plain. Don't think I can be losing my time with such a pitiful rascal as you are."
"Well," says Bill, "I want money, then, and am ready to come into terms. What have you to say to that, Nick?"
"Let me see--let me look at you," says his companion, turning him about. "Now, Bill, in the first place, are you not as finished a scare-crow as ever stood upon two legs?"
"I play second fiddle to you there again," says Bill.
"There you stand, with the blackguards' coat of arms quartered under your eye, and----"
"Don't make little of _black_guards," said Bill, "nor spake disparagingly of _your own_ crest."
"Why, what would you bring, you brazen rascal, if you were fairly put up at auction?"
"Faith, I'd bring more bidders than you would," said Bill, "if you were to go off at auction to-morrow. I tell you they should bid _downwards_ to come to your value, Nicholas. We have no coin _small_ enough to purchase you."
"Well, no matter," said Nick. "If you are willing to be mine at the expiration of seven years, I will give you more money than ever the rascally breed of you was worth."
"Done!" said Bill; "but no disparagement to my family, in the meantime; so down with the hard cash, and don't be a _neger_."
The money was accordingly paid down! but as nobody was present, except the giver and receiver, the amount of what Bill got was never known.
"Won't you give me a luck-penny?" said the old gentleman.