I couldn't. Knowing
you, and knowing 'ow respectable you 'ave always purtended to be, and
also and likewise that you ain't no chicken----'
"I thought 'e was going to 'ave a fit. He 'opped about, waving his arms
and stuttering and going on in such a silly way that I didn't like to be
seen with 'im. Twice he knocked my 'at off, and arter telling him wot
would 'appen if 'e did it agin, I walked off and left him.
"Even then 'e wasn't satisfied, and arter coming on to the wharf and
following me up and down like a little dog, he got in front of me and
told me some more things he 'ad thought of.
"'If I catch you spying on me agin,' he ses, 'you'll wish you'd never
been born!'
"'You get aboard and 'ave a quiet sleep,' I ses. 'You're wandering in
your mind.'
"'The lady you saw me with,' he ses, looking at me very fierce, 'is a
friend o' mine that I meet sometimes for the sake of her talk.'
"'Talk!' I ses, staring at 'im. 'Talk! Wot, can't one woman talk enough
for you? Is your missis dumb? or wot?'
"'You don't understand,' he ses, cocking up 'is nose at me.
Pages:
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176