"Forgive me for my petulance, my dear sir,—but, to tell you the honest truth, I am very low in the world just at present, and must get money in some way or another; in short, I must either pick pockets or write (not gratuitously) for the Asinæum."
And without farther preliminary, Paul related his present circumstances to the critic; declared his determination not to return to the Mug; and requested, at least, from the friendship of his old preceptor, the accommodation of shelter for that night.
Mac Grawler was exceedingly disconcerted at hearing so bad an account of his pupil's finances, as well as prospects; for he had secretly intended to regale himself that evening with a bowl of punch, for which he purposed that Paul should pay; but as he knew the quickness of parts possessed by the young gentleman, as also the great affection entertained for him by Mrs. Lobkins, who, in all probability, would solicit his return the next day, he thought it not unlikely that Paul would enjoy the same good fortune as that presiding over his feline companion, which, though it had just been kicked to the other end
