"What do you mean, you scoundrel, by this impudence?" exclaimed his
master, although at the same time he could not avoid laughing; for,
in truth, he felt a kind of presentiment, grounded upon Dandy's very
assurance, that he was the bearer of some agreeable intelligence. "What
do you mean, sirra? You're drunk, I think."
"Hi tell you what, sir," replied Dandy, "from this day out, upon my
soul, I'll patronize you like a man as I am; that is to say, provided
you continue to deserve it."
"Come, sirra, you're at your buffoonery again, or else you're drunk, as
I said. Did the lady send any reply?"
"Have you any cash to spare?" replied Dandy. "I want to invest a thrifle
in the funds."
"What can this impudence mean, sirra?" asked the other, sadly puzzled to
understand his conduct. "Why do you not reply to me? Did the lady send
an answer?"
"Most fortunate of all masthers," replied Dandy, "in havin' such a
servant; the lady did send an answer."
"And where is it, sirra?"
"There it is!" replied the other, shoving the candle-box triumphantly
over to him, The stranger looked steadily at him, and was beginning to
lose his temper, for he took it now for granted that his servant was
drunk.
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