Where have you come from, not originally, but just now ?" I flushed up very much at this polite rebuke.

Whatever made every one so anxious to assume that I was an ass?
"Pridgin's," said I.

"I'm his fag, and he's having a tea party." "Oh," said the youth; "who's there ?" "Only Tempest and Wales," I replied, feeling more at my ease.
"No one else ?" "No," I answered.

Then, guessing he might have the same antipathies as Tempest, I volunteered-- "Crofter's not asked." My companion opened his eyes.

"Indeed--why ?" "I don't know.