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Observer, Volume 2, Issue 36, 21 May 1881, Page 385

A day or two after the penny-reading 1 V. was energetically pursuing' his usual avocations, and thinking nothing about the wig, when he received peremptory letter from K. requesting that his headgear might be immediately returned, and demanding the modest sum of one rfiiiiiea for the loan thereof. To describe V.'s intelligent and expressive countenance as he read this extraordinary epistle would be impossible. Anger, astonishment, outraged dignity and injured innocence, followed each other rapidly. For a moment the little man stood lost in amazement, and then the conflicting emotions to which he was a prey burst forth, and with Jove-like fury, he ejaculated ONE SINGLE woud, which was excusable under the circumstances, bntwhich must on no accountbe permitted to sully these spotless pages. Having thus partially relieved an overcharged soul, V. seized his hat and proceeded forthwith to X.'s oflice. That worthy was in, and the pair .at once set to work to blackguarding each other. V. was absolutely godlike in his dignified anger. "I'm outraged! I'm scandalised ! I'm insulted !" he said loftily; "the idea of a lawyer and a presumably honest man demanding payment for assisting a charitable entertainment. I shall never pay you that nuinea, sir, neve/- ! NEVEit ! NEVER !" K. replied that if he didn't pay it, and return the wig very quickly, to Mount Eden he should go ; and with this deadly insult ringing in his ears, V. once more sought the street. That afternoon he paid another" visit to X.'s office, and, throwing the wig and three halfcrowns down on the counter, said : "There, sir, that's what I consider fair payment for the loan of your abominable wig, and not one penny more shall you ever get."