"I know one or two of them, and the people there will tell us the rest." "Then you mean to go with us?" "Of course I do,--that is, if you will have me. You don't think I would leave you to go alone? Have you had any supper?" "No. Would you like something, my dear?" said Percivale turning to me. "I couldn't swallow a mouthful," I said. "Nor I either," said Percivale. "Then I'll just take a hunch of bread with me," said Mr. Blackstone, "for I am hungry. I've had nothing since one o'clock." We neither asked him not to go, nor offered to wait till he had had his supper. Before we reached Printing-House Square he had eaten half a loaf. "Are you sure," said my husband, as we were starting, "that they will take an advertisement at the printing-office?" "I think they will. The circumstances are pressing. They will see that we are honest people, and will make a push to help us. But for any thing I know it may be quite _en règle_." "We must pay, though," said Percivale, putting his hand in his pocket, and taking out his purse. "There! Just as I feared! No money!--Two--three shillings--and sixpence!" Mr. Blackstone stopped the cab. "I've not got as much," he said. "But it's of no consequence. I'll run and write a check." "But where can you change it? The little shops about here won't be able." "There's the Blue Posts." "Let me take it, then. You won't be seen going into a public-house?" said Percivale. "Pooh! pooh!" said Mr. Blackstone. "Do you think my character won't stand that much? Besides, they wouldn't change it for you. But when I think of it, I used the last check in my book in the beginning of the week. Never mind; they will lend me five pounds." We drove to the Blue Posts. He got out, and returned in one minute with five sovereigns. "What will people say to your borrowing five pounds at a public-house?" said Percivale. "If they say what is right, it won't hurt me." "But if they say what is wrong?" "That they can do any time, and that won't hurt me, either." "But what will the landlord himself think?" "I have no doubt he feels grateful to me for being so friendly. You can't oblige a man more than by asking a _light_ favor of him." "Do you think it well in your position to be obliged to a man in his?" asked Percivale. "I do. I am glad of the chance. It will bring me into friendly relations with him." "Do you wish, then, to be in friendly relations with him?" "Indubitably. In what other relations do you suppose a clergyman ought to be with one of his parishioners?" "You didn't invite _him_ into your parish, I presume." "No; and he didn't invite me. The thing was settled in higher quarters. There we are, anyhow; and I have done quite a stroke of business in borrowing that money of him." Mr. Blackstone laughed, and the laugh sounded frightfully harsh in my ears.