5/14 'He's gone mad! What shall we do ?' 'Do!' said the stout old host, who regarded only the last words of the sentence. 'Put the horse in the gig! I'll get a chaise at the Lion, and follow 'em instantly. Where ?'--he exclaimed, as the man ran out to execute the commission--'where's that villain, Joe ?' 'Here I am! but I hain't a willin,' replied a voice. It was the fat boy's. 'He was bribed by that scoundrel, Jingle, to put me on a wrong scent, by telling a cock-and-bull story of my sister and your friend Tupman!' (Here Mr.Tupman sank into a chair.) 'Let me get at him!' 'Don't let him!' screamed all the women, above whose exclamations the blubbering of the fat boy was distinctly audible. |