Page 187 (1/2)

"I haven't the least idea"

"She calls, sir,--though you won't believe me, it aren't to be

expected,--no, not ona Duchess, ye see--"

"Well, what did she call for?" inquired Barnabas, rising

"Sir, she called for--on h I don't ax

ye to believe me, mind,--she sat in that theer identical chair,--an'

mark me, 'er a Duchess,--she sat in that cheer, a-fannin' 'erself

with 'er little fan, an' calls for a 'arf of Kentish ale--'Westerham

brew,' says she; an' 'er a Duchess! In a tankard! But I know as you

won't believe me,--nor I don't ax any man to,--no, not if I went

down on my bended marrer-bones--"

"But I do believe you," said Barnabas

"What--you do?" cried the landlord, almost reproachfully

"Certainly! A Duchess is, sometimes, almost human"

"But you--actooally--believe me?"

"Yes"

"Well--you surprise me, sir! Ale! A Duchess! In a tankard! No, it

aren't nat'ral Never would I ha' believed as any one would ha'

believed such a--"