Before Mr. Rigby finished his midday meal, without
which it was impossible that he, at his age, could travel, Mr. Pawkins
twisted the British lion's tail several times, to which the corporal
replied sadly: "Had I still been in the British army, sir, I should have
been degraded for losing prisoners committed to my guard, but any man
who allows himself to speak as you do, sir, of what you are too ignorant
to judge of, is degraded already." The cautious Yankee was equally
unsuccessful with Ben, who met him with: "Don't give me no more lip
about Serlizer and old man Newcome, but jist you tell 'em I've waushed
the bilin' of 'em clear off'n my hands fer a gayul as Serlizer ain't a
patch on." Then Mr. Pawkins amused himself asking Tryphosa if it was
Maguffin or Timotheus was her young man, giving as his private opinion
that the nigger was the smarter man of the two. When Tryphena playfully
ordered him out of the house, he expressed intense sorrow for Sylvanus'
future, but was glad to hear he was getting a present rest, paddling his
mud barge round the Simcoe pond. Mr. Pawkins was offensively personal,
but kept the table lively, and parted with them, regretting that, having
left his catechism at home, he was unable to favour his dear children
with a little much-needed religious instruction.
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