nder his arm, and putting it flat on the
table, with the label downwards, placed his two hands upon it, and
looked the other right in the face; after which he closed one eye, and
gave him a very knowing wink.

"What do you mean, you scoundrel, by this impudence?" exclaimed his
master, although at the same time he could not avoid laughing; for,
in truth, he felt a kind of presentiment, grounded upon Dandy's very
assurance, that he was the bearer of some agreeable intelligence. "What
do you mean, sirra? You're drunk, I think."

"Hi tell you what, sir," replied Dandy, "from this day out, upon my
soul, I'll patronize you like a man as I am; that is to say, provided
you continue to deserve it."

"Come, sirra, you're at your buffoonery again, or else you're drunk, as
I said. Did the lady send any reply?"

"Have you any cash to spare?" replied Dandy. "I want to invest a thrifle
in the funds."

"What can this impudence mean, sirra?" asked the other, sadly puzzled to
understand his conduct. "Why do you not reply to me? Did the lady send
an answer?"

"Most fortunate of all masthers," replied Dandy, "in havin' such a
servant; the lady did send an answer."

"And where is it, sirra?"

"There it is!" replied the other, shoving the candle-box triumphantly
over to him, The stranger looked steadily at him, and was beginning to
lose his temper, for he took it now for granted that his servant was
drunk.

"I shall dismiss you instantly, sirra," he said, "if you don't come to
your senses."

"I suppose so," replied the other, still maintaining his cool, unabashed
effrontery. "I dare say you will, just after I've made a man of
you--changed you from nothing to something, or, rather, from nobody--for
devil a much more you were up to the present time yet--to somebody. In
the meantime, read the lady's answer, if you plaise."

"Where is it, you impudent knave? I see no note--no answer."

"Troth, sir, I am afeared many a time you were ornamented with the
dunce's cap in your school-days, and well, I'll be bound, you became it.
Don't I say the answer's before you, there?"

"There is nothing here, you scoundrel, but a deal box."

"Eight, sir; and a deal of intelligence can it give you, if you have the
sense to find it out. Now, listen, sir. So long as you live, ever and
always examine both sides of every subject that comes before you, even
if it was an ould deal box."

His master took the hint, and instantly turning the box, read t