243 OCCASIONAL HAPPY THOUGHTS. 



" Did you agree for a certain sum for the job ? " 



The Cabman reflects. 



"Did you, or did you not?" asks Mr. Sharply, who can't 

 wait for thoughts. 



" Yes," says the Cabman, with such an air of uncertainty 

 as to the statement that Mr. Sharply eyes him distrustfully, 

 and then wants to know " How much ? " 



" Well," answers Mr. Thomas Muddock, recovering him- 

 self a little, " the lady said fifteen shillings." 



" For the job ? " says Mr. Sharply, suggestively. 



" For the job," replies the Cabman, not clearly seeing 

 v.'hat the result of his answer may be. 



" But," says my Aunt, now beginning to be quite at home, 

 " I said distinctly that he might have to wait." 



" Not five hours," says Mr. Thomas Muddock. 



Mr. Sharply looks from one to the other. 



" Yes," says my Aunt, " I said it might be one hour or five." 



" Did you agree as to time ? " asks Mr. Sharply of the 

 Cabman. 



" No," says the Cabman, " I didn't— that is— in a way — 

 Yes." 



" I don't believe a word you're saying," says Mr. Sharply ; 

 whereat my Aunt, plucking up, and addressing the Magis- 

 trate, says, " I didn't pay him, your Worship," (she is very 

 near saying " My Lord "), "because when I wanted him at 

 night, he was so intoxicated that he couldn't drive me." 



Mr. Sharply looks fiercely at the Cabman, and wishes to 

 know what he has to say to i/iaf. 



Mr. Thomas Muddock has no^ much to say to ///«/, but he 



