“I am er man,” said Mr. Dolls, trying to smite himself on the breast, but bringing his hand to bear upon the vicinity of his eye, “er do it. I am er man er do it.”

“What are you the man to do?” demanded Eugene, still sternly.

“Er give up that drection.”

“Have you got it?”

With a most laborious attempt at pride and dignity, Mr. Dolls rolled his head for some time, awakening the highest expectations, and then answered, as if it were the happiest point that could possibly be expected of him: “No.”

“What do you mean then?”