'Don't be an ass,' said Michael, who hated beards and was delighted to
destroy one. 'Off with it like a man!'

'Of course, if you insist,' said Pitman; and then he sighed, fetched
some hot water from the kitchen, and setting a glass upon his easel,
first clipped his beard with scissors and then shaved his chin. He
could not conceal from himself, as he regarded the result, that his last
claims to manhood had been sacrificed, but Michael seemed delighted.

'A new man, I declare!' he cried. 'When I give you the windowglass
spectacles I have in my pocket, you'll be the beau-ideal of a French
commercial traveller.'

Pitman did not reply, but continued to gaze disconsolately on his image
in the glass.

'Do you know,' asked Michael, 'what the Governor of South Carolina said
to the Governor of North Carolina? "It's a long time between drinks,"
observed that powerful thinker; and if you will put your hand into the
top left-hand pocket of my ulster, I have an impression you will find a
flask of brandy. Thank you, Pitman,' he added, as he filled out a glass
for each. 'Now you will give me news of this.'

The artist reached out his hand for the water-jug, but Michael arrested
the movement.

'Not if you went upon your knees!' he cried. 'This is the finest liqueur
brandy in Great Britain.'