eather--of course that's some way off where _you_'ve
come from--Central Africa, isn't it? Talkin' of my brother, what do
you think the young ass did?--went out there with a thousand pounds,
and paid it all down to some sportsmen who took him to see some stock
they said belonged to them--of course he found out after they'd off'd
it that they didn't own a white mouse among 'em! But then, DICK'S one
of those chaps, you know, that think themselves so uncommon knowing,
they _can't_ be had. I always told him he'd be taken in someday if he
let his tongue wag so much--too fond of hearing himself talk, don't
you know, great mistake for a young fellow; sure to say somethin'
you'd better have let alone. I suppose you're getting rather sick
of all these banquets, receptions, and that? They do you very well,
certainly. I went to one of these Company dinners some time ago, and
they did me as well as I've ever been done in my life, but when
you've got to sit still afterwards and listen to some chap who's been
somewhere and done somethin' jawin' about it by the hour together
without a check, why, it's not _good_ enough, I'm hanged if it is!
Well, I'm afraid I can't stay any longer--my time's valuable now,
don't you know. I daresay yours is, too. I'm awfully glad to have had
a chat with you, and all that. I expect you could tell me a lot more
interesting things, only of course you've got to keep the best of 'em
to put in your book--you _are_ writin' a book or somethin', ain't you?
Such heaps of fellows are writin' books nowadays, the wonder is how
any of 'em get read. I shall try and get a look at yours, though, if
I come across it anywhere; hope you'll put some amusin' things
in,--nigger stories and that, don't make it too bally scientific, you
know. Directly I get back, I shall sit down, slick off, and write out
all you've told me. I shan't want any notes, I can carry it all in my
head, and of course I shan't put in anything you'd rather I didn't,
don't you know.

_The L. L. (solemnly)._ Mr. JERMYN, I place implicit confidence in
your discretion. I have no doubt whatever that your head, Sir, is more
than capable of containing such remarks as I have found it necessary
to make in the course of our interview. I like your system of
extracting information, Sir, very much. Good morning.

_Mr. Jermyn (outside)._ Nice pleasant-spoken fellow--trifle
long-winded, though! Gad, I was so busy listenin' I forgot to notice
what his rooms were like