"No!" said he, "that's hard--that's hard! I wish I had anything to pawn--upon my soul, you have got excellent linen (feeling the sleeve of my shirt); how many shirts of that kind have you got ?" I answered, "Six ruffled, and six plain." At which he testified great surprise, and declared that no gentleman ought to have more than four.

"How many d'ye think I have got ?" continued he; "but this and another, as I hope to be saved! and I dare say we shall be able to raise a good sum out of your superfluity: let me see--let me see--each of these shirts is worth sixteen shillings at a moderate computation--now, suppose we pawn them for half-price--eight times eight is sixty-four, that's three pounds four; that will do--give me your hand." "Softly, softly, Mr.Jackson," said I; "don't dispose of my linen without my consent: first pay me the crown you owe me, and then we shall talk of other matters." He protested that he had not above one shilling in his pocket, but that he would pay me out of the first of the money raised from the shirts.

This piece of assurance incensed me so much that I swore I would not part with him until I had received satisfaction for what I had lent him; and as for the shirts, I would not pawn one of them to save him from the gallows.
At this expression he laughed aloud, and then complained it was very hard that I should refuse him a trifle that would infallibly enable him not only to make his own fortune but mine also.

"You talk of pawning my shirts," said I; "suppose you should sell this hanger, Mr.Jackson.

I believe it would fetch a good round sum." "No, hang it!" said he, "I can't appear decently without my hanger, lest it should go." However, seeing me inflexible with regard to my linen, he at length unbuckled his hanger, and, showing me the three blue balls, desired me to carry it thither and pawn it for two guineas.