'
'If a loan of ten shillings would help you, it is at your service,'
responded Watts, with eagerness.
'No, I think I would rather stay,' said the old man, 'and get my bill
discounted.'
'You shall not stay in my house,' cried Mr Watts. 'This is the last time
you shall have a bed at the "Tregonwell Arms".'
'I insist upon remaining,' replied Mr Finsbury, with spirit; 'I remain
by Act of Parliament; turn me out if you dare.'
'Then pay your bill,' said Mr Watts.
'Take that,' cried the old man, tossing him the negotiable bill.
'It is not legal tender,' replied Mr Watts. 'You must leave my house at
once.'
'You cannot appreciate the contempt I feel for you, Mr Watts,' said the
old gentleman, resigning himself to circumstances. 'But you shall feel
it in one way: I refuse to pay my bill.'
'I don't care for your bill,' responded Mr Watts. 'What I want is your
absence.'
'That you shall have!' said the old gentleman, and, taking up his
forage cap as he spoke, he crammed it on his head. 'Perhaps you are
too insolent,' he added, 'to inform me of the time of the next London
train?'
'It leaves in three-quarters of an hour,' returned the innkeeper with
alacrity.
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