I can go out
and in whenever I like, and I find it an advantage to do so.
The doors are always open. Come along!"
The two friends walked up the highway arm in arm, Jimmie
observing a patronising silence while his companion covered
him with affectionate compliments. After they had walked a
considerable distance in meditation, the shipmate said--
"Where is the hotel? Are we far off?"
"No," said the accommodating Jimmie; "here it is. I must
make one condition with you before we get any nearer. You
must go in by the back door."
"I will go in by any b---- door you like. I am not a
particular chap in that way!"
"Very well," said Jimmie, pointing to an object in the
middle of the road; "then you go in there, and I will go in
by the front."
"But," said his shipmate, "that is a boiler."
"_You_" said the philanthropic James, "may call it what you
like, but, for the time being, it is my hotel! It has been
my residence for two weeks, and I offer you the end I do not
use. If you accept it, all that you require to make you
perfectly comfortable is a bundle of straw. We shall sit
rent free!"
Needless to say the offer was accepted, and the two "plants"
lived together until they got a ship.
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