"That seems a fine cheese!" said I.
"It is, sir, if I might make so bold, a noble cheese!" he
rejoined, and laid his hand upon it with a touch that was a
caress.
"Then I will take three pennyworth of your noble cheese," said I.
"Cheese!" faintly echoed the gentleman upon the settle, "three
pennyworth. Oh, I shall die, positively I shall burst!"
"Also a loaf," said I. And when the landlord had cut the cheese
with great nicety--a generous portion--and had wrapped it into a
parcel, I put it, together with the loaf, into my knapsack, and
giving him "Good day!" strode to the door. As I reached it, the
tall gentleman rose from the settle, and bowed.
"Referring to George, sir--"
"George!" said I shortly; "to the devil with George!"
Now I could not help being struck by the effect of my words, for
Sir Harry let fall his cane, and stared open-mouthed, while his
companion regarded me with an expression between a frown and
wide-eyed dismay.
"Now I wonder," said I to myself as I descended the steps, "I
wonder who George can be?"
Before the inn there stood a yellow-wheeled stanhope with a horse
which, from his manner of trembling all over for no conceivable
reason, and manifest desire to stand upon his hind legs, I
conceived to be a thorough-bred; and, hanging grimly to the bridle,
now in the air, now on terra firma, alternately coaxing and cursing,
was my friend the Semi-quavering Ostler. He caught sight of me
just as a particularly vicious jerk swung him off his legs.
"Damn your liver!" he cried to the horse, and then, to me: "If
you'll jest call Joe to 'old this 'ere black varmin for me, I'll
--fill yer--eye up."
"Thanks," said I, "but I much prefer to keep it as it is; really
there is no need to trouble Joe, and as for you, I wish you good
morning!"
And when I had gone a little way, chancing to glance back over my
shoulder, I saw that the Outside Passenger stood upon the inn
steps, and was staring after me.