I've a girl. You remember little Netty? She's
walking out on the beach with a young fellow named Fellingham, whose
acquaintance we made on the voyage, and has n't left us long to
ourselves. Will you have her as well? And I suppose you must ask him.
He's a newspaper man; been round the world; seen a lot."
Tinman hesitated. An electrical idea of putting sherry at fifteen
shillings per dozen on his table instead of the ceremonial wine at
twenty-five shillings, assisted him to say hospitably, "Oh! ah! yes; any
friend of yours."
"And now perhaps you'll shake my fist," said Van Diemen.
"With pleasure," said Tinman. "It was your change of name, you know,
Philip."
"Look here, Martin. Van Diemen Smith was a convict, and my benefactor. Why
the deuce he was so fond of that name, I can't tell you; but his dying
wish was for me to take it and carry it on. He left me his fortune, for
Van Diemen Smith to enjoy life, as he never did, poor fellow, when he was
alive. The money was got honestly, by hard labour at a store.
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