"Yes, sir," said the postmaster, producing one--"fourpence."
The gentleman paid the fourpence postage, and left the shop with his letter.
"Here's a letter for the squire," said the postmaster; "you've to pay me elevenpence postage."
"To the devil wid you! Didn't I see you give Mr. Durfy a letther for fourpence this minit, and a bigger letther than this? and now you want me to pay elevenpence for this scrap of a thing. Do you think I'm a fool?"
"No: but I'm sure of it," said the postmaster.
"Well you're welkum to be sure, sure;--but don't be delayin' me now: here's fourpence for you, and gi' me the letther."
"Go along, you stupid thief!" said the postmaster, taking up the letter, and going to serve a customer with a mouse-trap.
While this person, and many others were served, Andy lounged up and down the shop, every now and then putting in his head in the middle of the customers, and saying, "Will you gi' me the letther?"
He waited for above half an hour, in defiance of the anathemas of the postmaster, and at last left, when he found it impossible to get common justice for his master, which he thought he deserved as well as another man; for, under this impression, Andy determined to give no more than the fourpence.
The squire in the meantime was getting impatient for his return, and when Andy made his appearance, asked if there was a letter for him.
"That owld chate beyant in the town--wanting to charge me double for it."
"Maybe it's a double letter. Why the devil didn't you pay what he asked, sir?"
"Arrah, sir, why would I let you be chated? It's not a double letther at all: not above half the size o' one Mr. Durfy got before my face for fourpence."
"You'll provoke me to break your neck some day, you vagabond! Ride back for your life, you omadhaun; and pay whatever he asks, and get me the letter."
"Why, sir, I tell you he was sellin' them before my face for fourpence a-piece."
"Go back, you scoundrel! or I'll horsewhip you; and if you're longer than an hour, I'll have you ducked in the horse-pond!"
Andy vanished, and made a second visit to the post-office. When he arrived, two other persons were getting letters, and the postmaster was selecting the epistles for each, from a large parcel that lay before him on the counter; at the same time many shop customers were waiting to be served.