My pheasants, too, have not yet been fattened up; and as for my crabs, they have all been drowned in this great deluge, as you may see for yourself.

And I suppose your lordship will not give me for my kitchen the two crabs I see here ?" This last sally was directed at the scarlet uniforms of the heydukes, and diverted his lordship's attention.

He was pleased to find the innkeeper rising to the level of the joke.

He had not expected it, and was all the more amused.
Meanwhile, the gipsy jester had poked out his black phiz, which vied with that of any nigger, and, flashing a row of white teeth at the innkeeper, began to tot up on his fingers what he wanted.
"All I want," said he, "is a dish of bird of paradise eggs, served with the fat of a sucking deer, and a brawn of pickled salmon spawn.

I never eat anything else." "Then I am sorry for that lordly belly of thine.