"My dear Jarndyce," he returned, "you surprise me. You take the butcher's position. A butcher I once dealt with occupied that very ground. Says he, 'Sir, why did you eat spring lamb at eighteen pence a pound?' 'Why did I eat spring lamb at eighteen pence a pound, my honest friend?' said I, naturally amazed by the question. 'I like spring lamb!' This was so far convincing. 'Well, sir,' says he, 'I wish I had meant the lamb as you mean the money!' 'My good fellow,' said I, 'pray let us reason like intellectual beings. 
"My dear Jarndyce," he returned, "A butcher I once dealt with said that very thing. Says he, 'Sir, why did you eat spring lamb at eighteen pence a pound? I wish I had meant the lamb as you mean the money!' 'My good fellow,' said I, 'pray let us be reasonable. 