He said it would not do at all well, and then, as though suddenly seized by an inspiration, started off down to the shore.
Then Augusta, as gently and nicely as she could, approached the question with Johnnie, who was sitting with his back against the hut, his battered countenance wearing a peculiarly ill-favored expression, probably owing to the fact that he was suffering from severe pain in his head, as a result of the debauch of the previous night.
Slowly and with great difficulty, for his understanding was none of the clearest, she explained to him what was required; and that it was suggested that he should provide the necessary _corpus vile_ upon which it was proposed that the experiment should be made.

When at last he understood what it was asked that he should do, Johnnie's countenance was a sight to see, and his language was more striking than correct.

The upshot of it was, however, that he would see Mr.Meeson collectively, and Mr.Meeson's various members separately, especially his eyes, somewhere first.
Augusta retreated till his wrath had spent itself, and then once more returned to the charge.
She was sure, she said, that Mr.Johnnie would not mind witnessing the document, if anybody else could be found to submit to the pain of the tattooing.

All that would be necessary would be for him to touch the hand of the operator while his (Johnnie's) name was tattooed as witness to the will.

"Well," he said, "I don't know how as I mind doing that, since it's you as asked me, Miss, and not the d----d old hulks of a Meeson.