“Then I certainly shall not give you the trouble “
He interrupted me with his jovial laugh.
“My good fellow,” he cried, “that’s the fun of it! How do you suppose I’ve been spending the day? Told you I was going to Lancaster, did I? Well, I’ve been cooking our dinner instead - laying the table - getting up the wines - never had such a joke! Give you my word, I almost forgot I was in the wilderness!”
“So you’re quite alone, are you?”
“Yes; as much so as that other beggar who was monarch of all
whose noblest deed was a piece of self preservation which he wished undone with all his heart.
Self-consciousness no doubt multiplied my flattering assailants. I have said that my nerves were shattered. I may have imagined much and exaggerated the rest. Yet what truth there was in my suspicions you