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Oh, that Mister Something! -- hell be the death of me! observed his lordship. I thought so, replied Jack; whats the chap been after now? I dreamt hed killed old Lablache -- best hound I have, replied his lordship. He be -- , grunted Jack. Ah, its all very well for you to say he be this and he be that, but I can tell you what, that fellow is going to be a very awkward customer -- a terrible thorn in my side. Humph! grunted Jack, who didnt see how. Theres mischief about that fellow, continued his lordship, pouring himself out half a tumbler of gin, and filling it up with water. Theres mischief about the fellow. I dont like his looks -- I dont like his coat -- I dont like his boots -- I dont like anything about him. Id rather see the back of him than the front. He must be got rid of, added his lordship. Well, I did my best today, Im sure, replied Jack. I was deuced near wanting the patent coffin you were so good as to promise me. You did your work well, replied his lordship; you did your work well; and you shall have my other specs till I can get you a new pair from town; and if youll serve me again, Ill remember you in my will -- Ill leave you something handsome. Im your man, replied Jack. I never was so bothered with a fellow in my life, observed his lordship. Captain Topsawyer was bad enough, and always pressed far too close on the hounds, but he would pull up at a check; but this rusty booted bomination seems to think the hounds are kept for him to ride over. He must be got rid of somehow, repeated his lordship; for we shall have no peace while hes here If hes after either of the Jawley girls, hell be bad to shake off, observed Jack. Thats just the point, replied his lordship, quaffing off his gin with the air of a man most thoroughly thirsty; thats just the point, repeated he, setting down his tumbler. I think if he is, I could cook his goose for him. How so? asked Jack, drinking off his glass. Why, Ill tell you, replied his lordship, replenishing his tumbler, and passing the old gilt-labelled blue bottle over to Jack; you see, Frostys a cunning old file, picks up all the news and gossip of the country when hes out at exercise with the hounds, or in going to cover -- knows everything! -- who licks his wife, and whose wife licks him -- whos after such a girl, and so on -- and hes found out somehow that this Mr Whats-his-name isnt the man of metal hes passing for. Indeed, exclaimed Jack, raising his eyebrows, and squinting his eyes inside out; Jacks opinion of a man being entirely regulated by his purse. Its a fact, said his lordship, with a knowing shake of his head. As we were toddling home with the hounds, I said to Frosty, I hope that Mr Somethings comfortable in his bath -- meaning Gobblecow Bog, which he rode into. Why, said Frosty, its no great odds what comes of such rubbage as that. Now, Frosty, you know, in a general way, is a most polite, fairspoken man, specially before Christmas, when he begins to look for the tips; and as we are not much troubled with strangers, thanks to your sensible way of handling them, I thought Frosty would have made the most of this natural son of Dives, and been as polite to him as possible. However, he was evidently no favourite of Frostys. So I just asked -- not that one likes to be familiar with servants, you know, but still this brown-booted beggar is enough to |
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