"Oh, I beg your pardon, sir," exclaimed Mr. King in great distress, the
more so as he saw that the stranger's glasses were knocked off his nose
by the collision. "I do trust they are not broken," he added, in a
concerned tone, endeavouring to pick them up.

But the big man was before him. "Not a beet, not a beet," he declared,
adjusting them on his nose again. Then he suddenly grasped old Mr.
King's hand. "And I be very glad, sir, _very_ glad indeed, dat I
haf roon into you."

"Indeed!" exclaimed Mr. King, releasing his hand instantly, and all the
concern dropping out of his face.

"_Very_ glad indeed!" repeated the big man, heartily; then he
pulled his black beard, and stood quite still a moment.

"If you have nothing more to remark, sir," said Mr. King, haughtily,
"perhaps you will be kind enough to stand out of my way, and allow me
to pass. And it would be as well for you to observe more care in the
future, sir, both in regard to your feet, and your tongue, sir."

"Yes, I am _very_ glad," began the big man again, who hadn't even
heard Mr. King's tirade, "for now--" and he gave his black beard a
final twitch, and his eyes suddenly lightened with a smile that ran all
over his face, "I can speak to you of dis ting dat is in my mind.
Your--"

"I want to hear nothing of what is on your mind," declared old Mr.
King, now thoroughly angry. "Stand aside, fellow, and let me pass," he
commanded, in a towering passion.