Whether sea-going people were short of money about that time , or were short of faith and preferred cork jackets , I do n’t know ; all I know is , that there was but one solitary biddingbid, and that was from an attorney connected with the bill-broking business , who offeredoffertwo pounds in cash , and the balance in sherry , but declineddeclineto be guaranteed from drowning on any higher bargain .
Now obey my orders , and take the message I 'm going to charge ' ee wi ' ... Well , Fred , I do n't mind tellingtellyou that the secret is that I 'm one of a noble race -- it has been just foundfindout by me this present afternoon , P.M. " And as he made the announcementannouncement, Durbeyfield , decliningdeclinefrom his sitting position , luxuriously stretchedstretchhimself out upon the bank among the daisies .