survey completely.

"Oh, no, I shan't," said I; "a bull-fighting chap can surely stand on
one leg. But what I wonder at is, how on earth he can afford it!"
Whereupon Johnson again began to interrogate him in Spanish.

"He says he has got no children," said Johnson, having received a
reply, "and that as he has nobody but himself to look after, he is
able to allow himself such little luxuries."

"Tell him that I say he would be better with a wife and couple of
babies," said I--and Johnson interpreted.

"He says that he'll think of it some of these days, when he finds
that the supply of fools in the world is becoming short," said
Johnson.

We had nearly done with him now; but after regaining my feet, I
addressed myself once more to the heavy pendules, which hung down
almost under his arm. I lifted one of these, meaning to feel its
weight between my fingers; but unfortunately I gave a lurch, probably
through the motion of the boat, and still holding by the button, tore
it almost off from our friend's coat.

"Oh, I am so sorry," I said, in broad English.

"It do not matter at all," he said, bowing, and speaking with equal
plainness. And then, taking a knife from his pocket, he cut the
pendule off, leaving a bit of torn cloth on the side of his jacket.