'Don't be too sure of that,' replied the gentleman, 'we don't allow
vagrants to roam about this place. I know what thou want'st---stray
linen drying on hedges, and stray poultry, eh? What hast got in that
basket, lazy hound?'
'Grip, Grip, Grip--Grip the clever, Grip the wicked, Grip the
knowing--Grip, Grip, Grip,' cried the raven, whom Barnaby had shut up
on the approach of this stern personage. 'I'm a devil I'm a devil I'm a
devil, Never say die Hurrah Bow wow wow, Polly put the kettle on we'll
all have tea.'
'Take the vermin out, scoundrel,' said the gentleman, 'and let me see
him.'
Barnaby, thus condescendingly addressed, produced his bird, but not
without much fear and trembling, and set him down upon the ground; which
he had no sooner done than Grip drew fifty corks at least, and then
began to dance; at the same time eyeing the gentleman with surprising
insolence of manner, and screwing his head so much on one side that he
appeared desirous of screwing it off upon the spot.
The cork-drawing seemed to make a greater impression on the gentleman's
mind, than the raven's power of speech, and was indeed particularly
adapted to his habits and capacity.
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