APOLOGY 21 



touching his hat — for old Tom and I were always on 

 the best of terms. 



At hearing my name, my late companion appeared 

 confounded. Getting on the wheel, he gave me the 

 five shillings, and l^egan muttering an apology, saying 

 he was not at all aware of who he was ridino- with, 

 or he should not so have committed himself. I told 

 him that there was no necessity for any apology, or 

 even of withdrawing anything he had said, for I had 

 been very much amused with his conversation ; and 

 after recommending him to be more particular in future 

 as to the correctness of the information he aj)peared 

 so jDleased to impart, I advised him to be careful also 

 how he s|)oke in strange company of persons he knew so 

 little about. Again thanking him for the amusement 

 he had afforded me — he at the same time looking very 

 sheepish — I wished him good morning, and drove off. 



