dat it iz - eberry vord ob it."

"Who are you, pray?" said I, with much dignity, although
somewhat puzzled; "how did you get here? and what is it you are
talking about?"

"Az vor ow I com'd ere," replied the figure, "dat iz none of your
pizzness; and as vor vat I be talking apout, I be talk apout vat I
tink proper; and as vor who I be, vy dat is de very ting I com'd here
for to let you zee for yourzelf."

"You are a drunken vagabond," said I, "and I shall ring the bell
and order my footman to kick you into the street."

"He! he! he!" said the fellow, "hu! hu! hu! dat you
can't do."

"Can't do!" said I, "what do you mean? - I can't do what?"

"Ring de pell;" he replied, attempting a grin with his little
villanous mouth.

Upon this I made an effort to get up, in order to put my threat
into execution; but the ruffian just reached across the table very
deliberately, and hitting me a tap on the forehead with the neck of
one of the long bottles, knocked me back into the arm-chair from
which I had half arisen. I was utterly astounded; and, for a moment,
was quite at a loss what to do. In the meantime, he continued his
talk.