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as it be, don't 'ee du it, Peter"

"Why, Ancient," said I, "it isn't that I doubt your word, but my

mind is set on the adventure So, if Simon will let me have

threepenny worth of candles, and some bread and et there before dusk"

Nodding gloomily, Simon rose and went out, whereupon the Ancient

leaned over and laid a yellow, clawlike hand upon my arm

"Peter," said he, "Peter, I've took to you amazin"; just a few

inches taller--say a couple--an' you'd be the very spit o' what

I were at your age--the very spit"

"Thank you, Ancient!" said I, laying --a very hijious thing if,

when I coatherin' watercress in the lin' on t' stapil, cold and stiff--like t' other, or

lyin' a corp wi' your throat cut; 'twould be a hijious--hijious

thing, Peter, but oh! 'twould mak' a fine story in the tellin'"

In a little while Simon returned with the candles, a tinder-box,

and a parcel of bread and loomily but

persistently refused payment Last of all he produced a s