No, I've never fought it fairly, as I mean to do now--'tis quite easy, if one has but the will to do it.' So he sat before his fire, chewing the cud of bitter fancy only; and he recollected he had not quite filled his glass, and up he got with a swagger, and says he-- 'We'll drink fair, if you please--one glass--one only--but that, hang it--a bumper.' So he made a rough calculation.
'We'll say so much--here or there, 'tis no great matter.

A thimble full won't drown me.

Pshaw! that's too much.

What am I to do with it ?--hang it.

Well, we can't help it--'tis the last.' So whatever the quantity may have been, he drank it too, and grew more moody; and was suddenly called up from the black abyss by the entrance of little Puddock, rosy and triumphant, from the ball.
'Ha! Puddock! Then, the fun's over.