“Well, don’t be too hard on a feller,” said Guy. “Come and make it seven bells--_tomar las once_, as the Dagoes say--I learned that from a sailor yesterday aboard of Blinders’ yacht.” “You’re learning to mar all hours with tipple. I shall have to whisper to the fair Julia, unless you swear off,” threatened Peter. “I swear enough, off and on, don’t I, Clo? But the tipple tap won’t stop. I believe I’ll knock off everything but bourbon, as you told me to do before.” “Do,” said Peter encouragingly. “The deterioration in our race is completely checked since native wines and bourbon came in. Take plenty of bourbon, and if you ever have a son, possibly he may have a beard. Think of that!” CHAPTER XV MR. WADDY RECEIVES A LETTER AND GETS OUT HIS PISTOLS It was about this time that Mr. Waddy received the following letter from Mr. Tootler: “THE SHRINE, August, 1855. “DEAR IRA: “I have leased your store, No. 26 Waddy Buildings, to Godfrey Bullion & Co., for five years at $5000 a year. “Wool is up and fleecing prospers. I am glad, for Mrs. T. asked me the other day what I thought had better be the name of our boy. How would you like to be N. or M. to him--Ira if it’s he, Irene if it’s a girl? Ira and Irene--Wrath and Peace--that’s just the difference between boy and girl. “But this is not what I am writing about. You know, my dear old boy, that I was never inquisitive about your affairs. Still, you can’t suppose that I have not divined something with regard to you and a certain old friend of ours. I don’t ask information now, because I believe if you had the right, you would have given it long ago.