'And since we are thus met already--and so much to my advantage!--the simplest thing will be to prosecute the acquaintance instantly.

Let me propose a snack between sermons, a bottle of my particular green seal--and when nobody is looking we can talk blazons, Mr.Ducie!'-- which was the name I then used and had already incidentally mentioned, in the vain hope of provoking a return in kind.
'I beg your pardon, sir: do I understand you to invite me to your house ?' said I.
'That was the idea I was trying to convey,' said he.

'We have the name of hospitable people up here, and I would like you to try mine.' 'Mr.Robbie, I shall hope to try it some day, but not yet,' I replied.
'I hope you will not misunderstand me.

My business, which brings me to your city, is of a peculiar kind.

Till you shall have heard it, and, indeed, till its issue is known, I should feel as if I had stolen your invitation.' 'Well, well,' said he, a little sobered, 'it must be as you wish, though you would hardly speak otherwise if you had committed homicide! Mine is the loss.