"They takes their pot of half-and-half by turns, and if their
name is called, the link what they subscribe for to pay, sings
out 'here;' and that's the way their guvners is done."
"I think I should like to be a link Jim," said the young one.
"I wish you may get it," was the response: "it's the next best
thing to a crossing: it's what every one looks to when he
enters public life, but he soon finds 'taint to be done
without a deal of interest. They keeps it to themselves, and
never lets any one in unless he makes himself very troublesome
and gets up a party agin 'em."
"I wonder what the nobs has for supper," said the young one
pensively. "Lots of kidneys I dare say."
"Oh! no; sweets is the time of day in these here blowouts:
syllabubs like blazes, and snapdragon as makes the flunkys
quite pale."
"I would thank you, sir, not to tread upon this child," said a
widow. She had three others with her, slumbering around, and
this was the youngest wrapt in her only shawl.
"Madam," replied the person whom she addressed, in tolerable
English, but with a marked accent, "I have bivouacked in many
lands, but never with so young a comrade: I beg you a thousand
pardons."
"Sir, you are very polite.
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