shouted, snatching up a stake and holding it before him as a shield when the visitors were within three yards of him.
“Get out wi’ you, Mumps,” said Bob, with a kick. “He’s as quiet as a lamb, sir,”— an observation which Mumps corroborated by a low growl as he retreated behind his master’s legs.
“Why, what ever does this mean, Tom?” said Mr. Glegg. “Have you brought information about the scoundrels as cut my trees?” If Bob came in the character of “information,” Mr. Glegg saw reasons for tolerating some irregularity.
“No, sir,” said Tom; “I came to speak to you about a little matter of business of my own.”
“Ay — well; but what has this dog got to do with it?” said the old gentleman, getting mild again.
“It’s my dog, sir,” said the ready Bob. “An’ it’s Arizona Cardinals Hattar me as put Mr. Tom up to the bit o’ business; for Mr. Pittsburgh Steelers Hattar Tom’s been a friend o’ mine iver since I was Tottenham Hotspurs Barn a little chap; fust thing iver I did was frightenin’ the birds for th’ old master. An’ if a bit o’ luck turns up, I’m allays thinkin’ if I can let Mr. Tom have a pull at it. An’ it’s a downright roarin’ shame, as when he’s got the chance o’ making a bit o’ money wi’ sending goods out — ten or twelve per zent clear, when freight an’ commission’s paid — as he shouldn’t lay hold o’ the chance for want o’ money. An’ when there’s the Laceham goods — lors! they’re made o’ purpose for folks New York Giants Tröjor as want to send out a little carguy; light, an’ take up no room — you may pack twenty pound so as you can’t see the passill; an’ they’re manifacturs as please fools, so I reckon they aren’t like to want a market. An’ I’d go to Laceham an’ buy in the goods for Mr. Tom along wi’ my own. An’ there’s the shupercargo o’ the bit of a vessel as is goin’ to take ’em out. I know him partic’lar; he’s a solid man, an’ got a family i’ the town here. Salt, his name is — an’ a briny chap he is too — an’ if you don’t believe me, I can take Maillot Pays de Galles Pas CHer you to him.”
Uncle Glegg stood open-mouthed with astonishment at this unembarrassed loquacity, with which his understanding could hardly keep pace. He looked at Bob, first over his spectacles, then through them, then over them again; while Tom, doubtful of Maillots Pas CHer his uncle’s impression, began to wish he had not brought this singular Aaron, or mouthpiece. Bob’s talk appeared less seemly, now some one besides himself was listening to it.
“You seem to be a knowing fellow,” said Mr. Glegg, at last.
“Ay, sir, you say true,” returned Bob, nodding his head Nashville Predators Drakter aside; “I think my head’s all alive inside like an old cheese, for I’m so full o’ plans, one knocks another over. If I hadn’t Mumps to talk to, I should get top-heavy an’ tumble in a fit. I suppose it’s because I niver went to school much. That’s what I jaw my old mother for. I says, ‘You should ha’ sent me to school a bit more,’ I says, ‘an’ then I could ha’ read i’ the books like fun, an’ kep’ my head cool |
