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ON HIS WAY THROUGH THE WORLD 201
Thank you—a couple of sovereigns will do." And the Doctor takes
two from the mantelpiece, and the divine retires, jingling the gold
in his greasy pocket.
The Doctor is going after the few words about pallida mors,
and has taken up that well-brushed broad hat, with that ever fresh
lining, which we all admire in him—" Oh, I say, Firmin !" breaks
out the clergyman. " Before you go out, you must lend me a few
sovs, please. They've cleaned me out in Air Street. That confounded
roulette ! It's a madness with me."
" By George !" cries the other, with a strong execration, " you
are too bad, Hunt. Every week of my life you come to me for
money. You have had plenty. Go elsewhere. I won't give
it you."
"Yes, you will, old boy," says the other, looking at him a
terrible look ; " for ________ "
" For what ?" says the Doctor, the veins of his tall forehead
growing very full.
"For old times' sake," says the elergyman. "There's seven
of 'em on the table in bits of paper—that'll do nicely." And he
sweeps the fees with a dirty hand into a dirty pouch. " Halloa !
Swearin' and cursin' before a clergyman. Don't cut up rough, old
fellow ! Go and take the air. It'll cool you."
" I don't think I would like that fellow to attend me, if I was
sick," says Hunt, shuffling away, rolling the plunder in his greasy
hand. " I don't think I'd like to meet him by moonlight alone,
in a very quiet lane. He's a determined chap. And his eyes mean
miching malecho, his eyes do. Phew !" And he laughs, and
makes a rude observation about Dr. Firmin's eyes.
That afternoon, the gents who used the "Admiral Byng" remarked
the reappearance of the party who looked in last evening,
and who now stood glasses round, and made himself uncommon
agreeable to be sure. Old Mr. Ridley says he is quite the gentleman.
" Hevident have been in foring parts a great deal, and speaks
the languages. Probbly have 'ad misfortunes, which many 'ave
'ad them. Drinks rum-and-water tremenjous. 'Ave scarce no
heppytite. Many get into this way from misfortunes. A plesn
man, most well informed on almost every subjeck. Think he's a
clergyman. He and Mr. Gann have made quite a friendship
together, he and Mr. Gann 'ave. Which they talked of Watloo,
and Gann is very fond of that, Gann is, most certny." I imagine
Ridley delivering these sentences, and alternate little volleys of
smoke, as he sits behind his sober calumet and prattles in the
tavern parlour.
After Dr. Firmin has careered through the town, standing by