The Romany Rye, a Sequel to "Lavengro" Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857 Excerpt: ...and of the good it did me then, so I went into the bar, opened another bottle, took a glass, and felt better; so I took another, and feeling better still, I went back into the kitchen just as Hunter and his crew were about leaving. ' Mr. Hunter, ' said I, ' you and your people will please to pay me for what you have had?' ' What do you mean by my people?' said he, with an oath. 'Ah what do you mean by us his people?' said the clan. 'We are nobody's people;' and then there was a pretty load of abuse, and threatening to serve me out. 'Well, ' said I, ' I was perhaps Wrong to call them your people, and beg your pardon and theirs. And now you will please to pay me for what you have had yourself and afterwards I can settle with them.' 'I shall pay you when I think fit, ' said Hunter. 'Yes, ' said the rest, 'and so shall we. We shall pay you when we think fit.' 'I tell you what, ' said Hunter, 'I conceives I do such an old fool as you an honour when I comes into his house and drinks his beer, and goes away without paying for it;' and then there was a roar of laughter from everybody, and almost all said the same thing. 'Now do you please to pay me, Mr. Hunter?' said I. 'Pay you ' said Hunter; 'pay you Yes, here 's the pay;' and thereupon he held out his thumb, twirling it round till it just touched my nose. I can't tell you-What I felt that moment; a kind of madhouse thrill came upon me, and all I know is, that I bent back as far as I could, then lunging out, struck him under the ear, sending him reeling two or three yards, when he fell on the floor. I wish you had but see...