"But, sir, as it is only for money, can you not be induced
by--by--money--"
"Bill, lady's going to pay the debtancosts. Show her the ticket. Debt
eighty pund, costs seven pund eighteen six."
"What! will you liberate him if I pay you eighty-eight pounds?"
"Well, marm, to oblige you we will; won't we, Bill?"
He winked. Bill nodded.
"Then pray stay here a minute, and this shall be arranged to your
entire satisfaction"; and she glided swiftly away, followed by Jane,
wriggling.
"Quite the lady, Bill."
"Kevite. Captn is in luck. Hare ve to be at the vedding, capn?"
"Dem your impudence! I'll cross-buttock yah!"
"Hold your tongue, Bill--queering a gent. Draw it mild, captain.
Debtancosts ain't paid yet. Here they come, though."
Lucy returned swiftly, holding aloft a slip of paper.
"There, sir, that is a check for 90 pounds; it is the same thing as
money, you are doubtless aware." The man took it and inspected it
keenly.
Very sorry, marm, but can't take it. It's a lady's check."
"What! is it not written properly?"
"Beautiful, marm. But when we takes these beautiful-wrote checks to
the bank, the cry is always, 'No assets.'"
"But Uncle Bazalgette said everybody would give me money for it."
"What! is Mr. Bazalgette your uncle, marm? then you go to him, and get
his check in place of yours, and the captain will be free as the birds
in the hair."
"Oh, thank you, sir," cried Lucy, and the next minute she was in Mr.
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