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44 It is not every day that a man like me will come to ask it of you."

"I am sorry that I have not a hundred pounds handy now to give you," said Shiana.

The gentleman stopped and looked at Shiana. He had never expected that answer. He looked at Shiana as he would look at some extraordinary animal. Shiana looked him steadily in the eyes. People used to say that Shiana had a very wild look when anything made him angry, and there was hardly anyone who would not cower before it. That gentleman cowered before it. He looked down at the ground, and then he looked out at the door, and after a while he looked again at Shiana, and there was Shiana laughing at him.

"Oh," said he, "fifty pounds would do."

"I am sorry," said Shiana, "that I have not fifty pounds handy to give you."

That took the pride out of him altogether.

"Give me ten pounds," said he.

"I will not," said Shiana.

"You wouldn't refuse me one pound," said he.

"You won't get it," said Shiana.

"Look here, Shiana," said he, "the dear knows I have not eaten food or taken a drink since yesterday morning. It would be a great charity for you to give me something to eat."

That look came into Shiana's eyes. He pointed his finger toward the door.

"Take the road," he said, "you idle vagabond!"

He almost sprang out at the door.