"I'm in a hurry," he added; "so I'll
listen to anything in reason."
"I charge interest a shilling in the pound," said Higgins. "That'll
be ten shillings on the two notes, and the ring seven-and-six--
seventeen-and-six in total; that leaves nine pounds two-and-six-
pence change--and here you air. Only," here Higgins produced
pen and ink, "you'll obleege _me_ by writing your name and where
you lodges on the back of the notes."
"What's that for?" said Will, drawing back a step or two.
"Nothing, ef you don't want to do it," responded Higgins; "only I can't
nohow change the notes without--it's a precaution I allus uses with
regard to bank-notes, which sailors don't have every day in their
pockets. No address, no change--you can please yourself."
"Oh, Will, do write," whispered Bet; and so urged, Will did dip his
pen in the ink, and scrawled his name in a somewhat uncertain
calligraphy on the back of each note. Mrs. Jobling's address was further
added. He then received his change, and he and Bet hurried out of the
shop.
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