Our Odd-men 



mother — anything, everything, certainly as 

 much for love as money. 



Sprightly had a strong sense of humour 

 which often got the better of what little 

 courtesy he possessed. On one occasion 

 our next-door neighbour, an enormously 

 stout old gentleman, engaged Sprightly to 

 do an errand for him, but complained that 

 he was scarcely fit to go as a messenger 

 In such a coat as he had on his back. 

 This was a nondescript garment at all 

 times, and was hardly improved by a 

 recent spill of green paint over one 

 sleeve. 



'' If you don't like my coat," said the 

 terrible Sprightly, ''you might give me 

 one of your waistcoats. It 'd cut up Into a 

 whole suit for me." 



The Indignant old gentleman was 

 choking with a desire to find a suitable 

 reply to this Insolence, but Sprightly gave 

 him no time. "You're a nice one to talk, 

 ain't ye ? A great, big, bouncing, pot- 

 belly like you ! " And then, having 

 worked himself Into a real rage by now, 

 he roared, '' You're too big to be clothed, 

 you ought to be thatched ! " and fiung out 

 of the house. 



His ever- varying Impertinence to others 

 and his absurd freaks about his own 

 190 



