In those days a kind friend, without intending it, nearly brought about my death by slow starvation.

I had left my umbrella in an omnibus, and the season was rainy.

The kind rich friend gave me a new umbrella; it was a rich man's umbrella; we made an ill-assorted pair.

Its handle was of ivory, imposing in appearance, ornamented with a golden snake.
The unsympathetic Umbrella.
"Following my own judgment I should have pawned that umbrella, purchased one more suited to my state in life, and 'blued' the difference.

But I was fearful of offending my one respectable acquaintance, and for weeks struggled on, hampered by this plutocratic appendage.