stepping out amongst the redeemed in such a rig, and that made me
hang back and come to anchor again. People got to eying me--
clerks, you know--wondering why I didn't get under way. I couldn't
stand this long--it was too uncomfortable. So at last I plucked up
courage and tipped the head clerk a signal. He says--

"What! you here yet? What's wanting?"

Says I, in a low voice and very confidential, making a trumpet with
my hands at his ear--

"I beg pardon, and you mustn't mind my reminding you, and seeming
to meddle, but hain't you forgot something?"

He studied a second, and says--

"Forgot something? . . . No, not that I know of."

"Think," says I.

He thought. Then he says--

"No, I can't seem to have forgot anything. What is it?"

"Look at me," says I, "look me all over."

He done it.

"Well?" says he.