Vol.1 f.041 recto

make of me -- at all events, till I have met this man again and settled the account. It'll be a better story then."
"Why who should I tell it to?" returned Gabriel. " They know it here, and I'm not likely to come across anybody else who would care about it."
'That's true enough, said the young fellow with a sigh. "I quite forgot that. Yes, that's true!"
So saying, he raised his face, which was very red, -- no doubt from the exertion of strapping and buckling as aforesaid, -- and giving the rein to the old man who had by this time taken his seat, sighed again and bade him good night.
" Good night!" cried Gabriel. "Now think better of what we have just been speaking of, and don't be rash, there's a good fellow! I have an interest in you, and wouldn't have you cast yourself away. Good night!"
Returning his cheery farewell with cordial goodwill, Joe Willet lingered until the sound of wheels ceased to vibrate in his ears, and then, shaking his head mournfully, re-entered the house.
Gabriel Varden went his way towards London, thinking of a great many things, and most of all of flaming terms in which to relate his adventure, and so account satisfactorily to Mrs Varden for visiting the Maypole despite certain solemn covenants between himself and that lady. Thinking begets, not only thought, but drowsiness occasionally, and the more the locksmith thought, the more sleepy he became.