My breeches cracked behind, after I had
got into the saddle' 'You're an impudent varlet (cried Mrs Tabby)
for presuming to ride before persons of fashion without a shirt' --
'I am so, an please your worthy ladyship (said he) but I am a
poor Wiltshire lad -- I ha'n't a shirt in the world, that I can
call my own, nor a rag of clothes, and please your ladyship, but
what you see -- I have no friend nor relation upon earth to help me
out -- I have had the fever and ague these six months, and spent
all I had in the world upon doctors, and to keep soul and body
together; and, saving your ladyship's good presence, I han't
broke bread these four and twenty hours.'
Mrs Bramble, turning from him, said, she had never seen such a
filthy tatterdemalion, and bid him begone; observing, that he
would fill the room full of vermin -- Her brother darted a
significant glance at her, as she retired with Liddy into another
apartment, and then asked the man if he was known to any person
in Marlborough? -- When he answered, that the landlord of the inn
had known him from his infancy; mine host was immediately called,
and being interrogated on the subject, declared that the young
fellow's name was Humphry Clinker.
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