And never, Mr Sweedlepipes, I do assure
you, sir, did I so well know what a misfortun it was to be acquainted
with you, as now I do, which so I say, sir, and I don't deceive you!'
'I ask your pardon, ladies and gentlemen all,' cried the little barber,
taking off his hat, 'and yours too, Mrs Gamp. But--but,' he added this
half laughing and half crying, 'IS there anybody here that knows him?'
As the barber said these words, a something in top-boots, with its head
bandaged up, staggered into the room, and began going round and round
and round, apparently under the impression that it was walking straight
forward.
'Look at him!' cried the excited little barber. 'Here he is! That'll
soon wear off, and then he'll be all right again. He's no more dead than
I am. He's all alive and hearty. Aint you, Bailey?'
'R--r--reether so, Poll!' replied that gentleman.
'Look here!' cried the little barber, laughing and crying in the same
breath. 'When I steady him he comes all right. There! He's all right
now. Nothing's the matter with him now, except that he's a little shook
and rather giddy; is there, Bailey?'
'R--r--reether shook, Poll--reether so!' said Mr Bailey.
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