| 120 | 121 | 122 | 123 | 124 |
| 1 | 101 | 202 | 302 | 403 |
|
"The--hiccup--wretch!" ejaculated Bon-Bon, "the--hic-cup!--absorption of
a pill-box!"--and the philosopher dropped a tear.
"After all," continued the visiter, "after all, if a dev--if a gentleman
wishes to live, he must have more talents than one or two; and with us a
fat face is an evidence of diplomacy."
"
"
How so?"
Why, we are sometimes exceedingly pushed for provisions. You must know
that, in a climate so sultry as mine, it is frequently impossible to
keep a spirit alive for more than two or three hours; and after death,
unless pickled immediately (and a pickled spirit is not good),
they will--smell--you understand, eh? Putrefaction is always to be
apprehended when the souls are consigned to us in the usual way."
"
Hiccup!--hiccup!--good God! how do you manage?"
Here the iron lamp commenced swinging with redoubled violence, and
the devil half started from his seat;--however, with a slight sigh, he
recovered his composure, merely saying to our hero in a low tone: "I
tell you what, Pierre Bon-Bon, we must have no more swearing."
The host swallowed another bumper, by way of denoting thorough
comprehension and acquiescence, and the visiter continued.
122
Page
Quick Jump
|