CHAPTER LIII.
Singular Table--No Money--Out of Employ--My Bonnet--We of the Thimble--Good Wages--Wisely Resolved--Strangest Way in the World--Fat Gentleman--Not Such Another--First Edition--Not Very Easy--Won't Close--Avella Gorgio--Alarmed Look.
Presently a man emerged from the tent, bearing before him a rather singular table; it appeared to be of white deal, was exceedingly small at the top, and with very long legs.

At a few yards from the entrance he paused, and looked round, as if to decide on the direction which he should take; presently, his eye glancing on me as I lay upon the ground, he started, and appeared for a moment inclined to make off as quick as possible, table and all.

In a moment, however, he seemed to recover assurance, and, coming up to the place where I was, the long legs of the table projecting before him, he cried, "Glad to see you here, my lord." "Thank you," said I, "it's a fine day." "Very fine, my lord; will your lordship play?
Them that finds, wins--them that don't finds, loses." "Play at what ?" said I.
"Only at the thimble and pea, my lord." "I never heard of such a game." "Didn't you?
Well, I'll soon teach you," said he, placing the table down.

"All you have to do is to put a sovereign down on my table, and to find the pea, which I put under one of my thimbles.

If you can find it,--and it is easy enough to find it,--I give you a sovereign besides your own: for them that finds, wins." "And them that don't find, loses," said I; "no, I don't wish to play." "Why not, my lord ?" "Why, in the first place, I have no money." "Oh, you have no money; that of course alters the case.