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    94 
   £or M.  You don't say I (i) none of our common e!riends ever spoke of your absence from home.
   I. P.  True it is I didh give any notice of my leaving, nor did I write to any of them, I travelled incognito like ari«^ Indian Prince.
   M.  May I ask what was the cause of your thus wandering far from our dear Old England ?
   I. P.  Simply this, that about six months ago I unexpectedly got a legacy from an almost forgotten relative, something like eightthousand pounds (2), and I thought I might as well live independent and see a little of the world; so I resigned my situation with the Commercial Bank, and shortly afterwards was off on my journey.
   M. You were perfectly right in that, you lucky man. What places did you visit in your round?
   (1) You dont't sayl  Forma d'interiezione idiomatica corrispondente all'italiana « davvero ! - ma proprio I - cosa dite mai I ».
   (2) Sottinteso sterling, che usualmente si omette, cioè: Lire sterline.]
    95 
   I. P.  I went to Germany first, then to Italy and through France on my way back; wonderful countries, I tell you.
   M.  I believe so, and long to do as you did, some time or other; but it is of no use thinking of it; business, you know, is a continuous fetter, a chain which binds us hand and foot to a^riting desk in our counting house from morning to night of every blessed day.
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   I. P.  Well, here I am to offer you the means of realizing your desire in a near future.
   M.  I am quite at a loss (x) to catch your meaning, I hope you are not bantering with my bad luck.
   I. P.  Not at all, my friend, I speak the truth, and have a plan ready. But, first of all; I have been told you fc are looking for a partner, is it true?
   M.  So it is in fact, and I had many offers already, for my business is thriving and
   (1) To be at a loss  Frase idiomatica che non ammette traduzione letterale. Corrisponde alle italiane « essere in forse -non saper come >,