Deep Waters, The Entire Collection
by
W.W. Jacobs
Part 1 out of 3
Produced by David Widger
DEEP WATERS
By W.W. JACOBS
[Illustration: IN THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP I SAW THE DEAD WHITE FACE]
CONTENTS:
SHAREHOLDERS
PAYING OFF
MADE TO MEASURE
SAM'S GHOST
BEDRIDDEN
THE CONVERT
HUSBANDRY
FAMILY CARES
THE WINTER OFFENSIVE
THE SUBSTITUTE
STMKING HARD
DIRTY WORK
SHAREHOLDERS
Sailor man--said the night-watchman, musingly--a sailorman is like a fish
he is safest when 'e is at sea. When a fish comes ashore it is in for
trouble, and so is sailorman. One poor chap I knew 'ardly ever came
ashore without getting married; and he was found out there was no less
than six wimmen in the court all taking away 'is character at once. And
when he spoke up Solomon the magistrate pretty near bit 'is 'ead off.
Then look at the trouble they get in with their money! They come ashore
from a long trip, smelling of it a'most, and they go from port to port
like a lord. Everybody has got their eye on that money--everybody except
the sailorman, that is--and afore he knows wot's 'appened, and who 'as
got it, he's looking for a ship agin. When he ain't robbed of 'is money,
he wastes it; and when 'e don't do either, he loses it.
I knew one chap who hid 'is money. He'd been away ten months, and,
knowing 'ow easy money goes, 'e made up sixteen pounds in a nice little
parcel and hid it where nobody could find it. That's wot he said, and
p'r'aps 'e was right. All I know is, he never found it. I did the same
thing myself once with a couple o' quid I ran acrost unexpected, on'y,
unfortunately for me, I hid it the day afore my missus started 'er
spring-cleaning.
One o' the worst men I ever knew for getting into trouble when he came
ashore was old Sam Small. If he couldn't find it by 'imself, Ginger Dick
and Peter Russet would help 'im look for it. Generally speaking they
found it without straining their eyesight.
I remember one time they was home, arter being away pretty near a year,
and when they was paid off they felt like walking gold-mines. They went
about smiling all over with good-temper and 'appiness, and for the first
three days they was like brothers. That didn't last, of course, and on
the fourth day Sam Small, arter saying wot 'e would do to Ginger and
Peter if it wasn't for the police, went off by 'imself.
His temper passed off arter a time, and 'e began to look cheerful agin.
It was a lovely morning, and, having nothing to do and plenty in 'is
pocket to do it with, he went along like a schoolboy with a 'arf holiday.
He went as far as Stratford on the top of a tram for a mouthful o' fresh
air, and came back to his favourite coffee-shop with a fine appetite for
dinner. There was a very nice gentlemanly chap sitting opposite 'im, and
the way he begged Sam's pardon for splashing gravy over 'im made Sam take
a liking to him at once. Nicely dressed he was, with a gold pin in 'is
tie, and a fine gold watch-chain acrost his weskit; and Sam could see he
'ad been brought up well by the way he used 'is knife and fork. He kept
looking at Sam in a thoughtful kind o' way, and at last he said wot a
beautiful morning it was, and wot a fine day it must be in the, country.
In a little while they began to talk like a couple of old friends, and he
told Sam all about 'is father, wot was a clergyman in the country, and
Sam talked about a father of his as was living private on three 'undred a
year.
"Ah, money's a useful thing," ses the man.
"It ain't everything," ses Sam. "It won't give you 'appiness. I've run
through a lot in my time, so I ought to know."
"I expect you've got a bit left, though," ses the man, with a wink.
Sam laughed and smacked 'is pocket. "I've got a trifle to go on with,"
he ses, winking back. "I never feel comfortable without a pound or two
in my pocket."
"You look as though you're just back from a vy'ge," ses the man, looking
at 'im very hard.
"I am," ses Sam, nodding. "Just back arter ten months, and I'm going to
spend a bit o' money afore I sign on agin, I can tell you."
"That's wot it was given to us for," ses the man, nodding at him.
They both got up to go at the same time and walked out into the street
together, and, when Sam asked 'im whether he might have the pleasure of
standing 'im a drink, he said he might. He talked about the different
kinds of drink as they walked along till Sam, wot was looking for a high-
class pub, got such a raging thirst on 'im he hardly knew wot to do with
'imself. He passed several pubs, and walked on as fast as he could to
the Three Widders.
"Do you want to go in there partikler?" ses the man, stopping at the
door.
"No," ses Sam, staring.
"'Cos I know a place where they sell the best glass o' port wine in
London," ses the man.
He took Sam up two or three turnings, and then led him into a quiet
little pub in a back street. There was a cosy little saloon bar with
nobody in it, and, arter Sam had 'ad two port wines for the look of the
thing, he 'ad a pint o' six-ale because he liked it. His new pal had one
too, and he 'ad just taken a pull at it and wiped his mouth, when 'e
noticed a little bill pinned up at the back of the bar.
"_Lost, between--the Mint and--Tower Stairs,_" he ses, leaning forward
and reading very slow, "_a gold--locket--set with--diamonds. Whoever
will--return--the same to--Mr. Smith--Orange Villa--Barnet--will receive
--thirty pounds--reward."
"'Ow much?" ses Sam, starting. "Thirty pounds," ses the man. "Must be a
good locket. Where'd you get that?" he ses, turning to the barmaid.
"Gentleman came in an hour ago," ses the gal, "and, arter he had 'ad two
or three drinks with the guv'nor, he asks 'im to stick it up. 'Arf
crying he was--said 'it 'ad belonged to his old woman wot died."
She went off to serve a customer at the other end of the bar wot was
making little dents in it with his pot, and the man came back and sat
down by Sam agin, and began to talk about horse-racing. At least, he
tried to, but Sam couldn't talk of nothing but that locket, and wot a
nice steady sailorman could do with thirty pounds.
"Well, p'r'aps you'll find it," ses the man, chaffing-like. "'Ave
another pint."
Sam had one, but it only made 'im more solemn, and he got in quite a
temper as 'e spoke about casuals loafing about on Tower Hill with their
'ands in their pockets, and taking gold lockets out of the mouths of
hard-working sailormen.
"It mightn't be found yet," ses the man, speaking thoughtful-like. "It's
wonderful how long a thing'll lay sometimes. Wot about going and 'aving
a look for it?"
Sam shook his 'ead at fust, but arter turning the thing over in his mind,
and 'aving another look at the bill, and copying down the name and
address for luck, 'e said p'r'aps they might as well walk that way as
anywhere else.
"Something seems to tell me we've got a chance," ses the man, as they
stepped outside.
"It's a funny feeling and I can't explain it, but it always means good
luck. Last time I had it an aunt o' mine swallered 'er false teeth and
left me five 'undred pounds."
"There's aunts and aunts," ses Sam, grunting. "I 'ad one once, but if
she had swallered 'er teeth she'd ha' been round to me to help 'er buy
some new ones. That's the sort she was."
"Mind!" ses the man, patting 'im on the shoulder, "if we do find this, I
don't want any of it. I've got all I want. It's all for you."
They went on like a couple o' brothers arter that, especially Sam, and
when they got to the Mint they walked along slow down Tower Hill looking
for the locket. It was awkward work, because, if people saw them looking
about, they'd 'ave started looking too, and twice Sam nearly fell over
owing to walking like a man with a stiff neck and squinting down both
sides of his nose at once. When they got as far as the Stairs they came
back on the other side of the road, and they 'ad turned to go back agin
when a docker-looking chap stopped Sam's friend and spoke to 'im.
"I've got no change, my man," ses Sam's pal, pushing past him.
"I ain't begging, guv'nor," ses the chap, follering 'im up. "I'm trying
to sell some-thing."
"Wot is it?" ses the other, stopping.
The man looked up and down the street, and then he put his 'ead near them
and whispered.
"Eh?" ses Sam's pal.
"Something I picked up," ses the man, still a-whispering.
Sam got a pinch on the arm from 'is pal that nearly made him scream, then
they both stood still, staring at the docker.
"Wot is it?" ses Sam, at last.
The docker looked over his shoulder agin, and then 'e put his 'and in his
trouser-pocket and just showed 'em a big, fat gold locket with diamonds
stuck all over it. Then he shoved it back in 'is pocket, while Sam's pal
was giving 'im a pinch worse than wot the other was.
"It's the one," he ses, in a whisper. "Let's 'ave another look at it,"
he ses to the docker.
The man fished it out of his pocket agin, and held on to it tight while
they looked at it.
"Where did you find it?" ses Sam.
"Found it over there, just by the Mint," ses the man, pointing.
[Illustration: "FOUND IT OVER THERE, JUST BY THE MINT," SES THE MAN,
POINTING.]
"Wot d'ye want for it?" ses Sam's pal.
"As much as I can get," ses the man. "I don't quite know 'ow much it's
worth, that's the worst of it. Wot d'ye say to twenty pounds, and chance
it?"
Sam laughed--the sort of laugh a pal 'ad once give him a black eye for.
"Twenty pounds!" he ses; "twenty pounds! 'Ave you gorn out of your mind,
or wot? I'll give you a couple of quid for it."
"Well, it's all right, captin," ses the man, "there's no 'arm done. I'll
try somebody else--or p'r'aps there'll be a big reward for it. I don't
believe it was bought for a 'undred pounds."
He was just sheering off when Sam's pal caught 'im by the arm and asked
him to let 'im have another look at it. Then he came back to Sam and led
'im a little way off, whispering to 'im that it was the chance of a
life time.
"And if you prefer to keep it for a little while and then sell it,
instead of getting the reward for it, I dare say it would be worth a
hundred pounds to you," 'e ses.
"I ain't got twenty pounds," ses Sam.
"'Ow much 'ave you got?" ses his pal.
Sam felt in 'is pockets, and the docker came up and stood watching while
he counted it. Altogether it was nine pounds fourteen shillings and
tuppence.
"P'r'aps you've got some more at 'ome," ses his pal.
"Not a farthing," ses Sam, which was true as far as the farthing went.
"Or p'r'aps you could borrer some," ses his pal, in a soft, kind voice.
"I'd lend it to you with pleasure, on'y I haven't got it with me."
Sam shook his 'ead, and at last, arter the docker 'ad said he wouldn't
let it go for less than twenty, even to save 'is life, he let it go for
the nine pounds odd, a silver watch-chain, two cigars wot Sam 'ad been
sitting on by mistake, and a sheath-knife.
"Shove it in your pocket and don't let a soul see it," ses the man,
handing over the locket. "I might as well give it away a'most. But it
can't be 'elped."
He went off up the 'ill shaking his 'ead, and Sam's pal, arter watching
him for a few seconds, said good-bye in a hurry and went off arter 'im to
tell him to keep 'is mouth shut about it.
Sam walked back to his lodgings on air, as the saying is, and even did a
little bit of a skirt-dance to a pianner-organ wot was playing. Peter
and Ginger was out, and so was his land-lady, a respectable woman as was
minding the rest of 'is money for him, and when he asked 'er little gal,
a kid of eleven, to trust 'im for some tin she gave 'im a lecture on
wasting his money instead wot took 'is breath away--all but a word or two.
He got some of 'is money from his landlady at eight o'clock, arter
listening to 'er for 'arf an hour, and then he 'ad to pick it up off of
the floor, and say "Thank you" for it.
He went to bed afore Ginger and Peter came in, but 'e was so excited he
couldn't sleep, and long arter they was in bed he laid there and thought
of all the different ways of spending a 'undred pounds. He kept taking
the locket from under 'is piller and feeling it; then he felt 'e must
'ave another look at it, and arter coughing 'ard two or three times and
calling out to the other two not to snore--to see if they was awake--he
got out o' bed and lit the candle. Ginger and Peter was both fast
asleep, with their eyes screwed up and their mouths wide open, and 'e sat
on the bed and looked at the locket until he was a'most dazzled.
"'Ullo, Sam!" ses a voice. "Wot 'ave you got there?"
Sam nearly fell off the bed with surprise and temper. Then 'e hid the
locket in his 'and and blew out the candle.
"Who gave it to you?" ses Ginger.
"You get off to sleep, and mind your own bisness," ses Sam, grinding 'is
teeth.
He got back into bed agin and laid there listening to Ginger waking up
Peter. Peter woke up disagreeable, but when Ginger told 'im that Sam 'ad
stole a gold locket as big as a saucer, covered with diamonds, he altered
'is mind.
"Let's 'ave a look at it," he ses, sitting up.
"Ginger's dreaming," ses Sam, in a shaky voice. "I ain't got no locket.
Wot d'you think I want a locket for?"
Ginger got out o' bed and lit the candle agin. "Come on!" he ses, "let's
'ave a look at it. I wasn't dreaming. I've been awake all the time,
watching you."
Sam shut 'is eyes and turned his back to them.
"He's gone to sleep, pore old chap," ses Ginger. "We'll 'ave a look at
it without waking 'im. You take that side, Peter! Mind you don't
disturb 'im."
He put his 'and in under the bed-clo'es and felt all up and down Sam's
back, very careful. Sam stood it for 'arf a minute, and then 'e sat up
in bed and behaved more like a windmill than a man.
"Hold his 'ands," ses Ginger.
"Hold 'em yourself," ses Peter, dabbing 'is nose with his shirt-sleeve.
"Well, we're going to see it," ses Ginger, "if we have to make enough
noise to rouse the 'ouse. Fust of all we're going to ask you perlite;
then we shall get louder and louder. _Show us the locket wot you stole,
Sam!_"
"Show--us--the--diamond locket!" ses Peter.
"It's my turn, Peter," ses Ginger. "One, two, three. SHOW--US--TH'----"
"Shut up," ses Sam, trembling all over. "I'll show it to you if you stop
your noise."
He put his 'and under his piller, but afore he showed it to 'em he sat up
in bed and made 'em a little speech. He said 'e never wanted to see
their faces agin as long as he lived, and why Ginger's mother 'adn't put
'im in a pail o' cold water when 'e was born 'e couldn't understand. He
said 'e didn't believe that even a mother could love a baby that looked
like a cod-fish with red 'air, and as for Peter Russet, 'e believed his
mother died of fright.
"That'll do," ses Ginger, as Sam stopped to get 'is breath. "Are you
going to show us the locket, or 'ave we got to shout agin?"
Sam swallered something that nearly choked 'im, and then he opened his
'and and showed it to them. Peter told 'im to wave it so as they could
see the diamonds flash, and then Ginger waved the candle to see 'ow they
looked that way, and pretty near set pore Sam's whiskers on fire.
They didn't leave 'im alone till they knew as much about it as he could
tell 'em, and they both of 'em told 'im that if he took a reward of
thirty pounds for it, instead of selling it for a 'undred, he was a
bigger fool than he looked.
"I shall turn it over in my mind," ses Sam, sucking 'is teeth. "When I
want your advice I'll ask you for it."
"We wasn't thinking of you," ses Ginger; "we was thinking of ourselves."
"You!" ses Sam, with a bit of a start. "Wot's it got to do with you?"
"Our share'll be bigger, that's all," ses Ginger.
"Much bigger," ses Peter. "I couldn't dream of letting it go at thirty.
It's chucking money away. Why, we might get _two_ 'undred for it. Who
knows?"
Sam sat on the edge of 'is bed like a man in a dream, then 'e began to
make a noise like a cat with a fish-bone in its throat, and then 'e stood
up and let fly.
"Don't stop 'im, Peter," ses Ginger. "Let 'im go on; it'll do him good."
"He's forgot all about that penknife you picked up and went shares in,"
ses Peter. "I wouldn't be mean for _twenty_ lockets."
"Nor me neither," ses Ginger. "But we won't let 'im be mean--for 'is own
sake. We'll 'ave our rights."
"Rights!" ses Sam. "Rights! You didn't find it."
"We always go shares if we find anything," ses Ginger. "Where's your
memory, Sam?" "But I didn't find it," ses Sam.
"No, you bought it," ses Peter, "and if you don't go shares we'll split
on you--see? Then you can't sell it anyway, and perhaps you won't even
get the reward. We can be at Orange Villa as soon as wot you can."
"Sooner," ses Ginger, nodding. "But there's no need to do that. If 'e
don't go shares I'll slip round to the police-station fust thing in the
morning."
"You know the way there all right," ses Sam, very bitter.
"And we don't want none o' your back-answers," ses Ginger. "Are you
going shares or not?"
"Wot about the money I paid for it?" ses Sam, "and my trouble?"
Ginger and Peter sat down on the bed to talk it over, and at last, arter
calling themselves a lot o' bad names for being too kind-'earted, they
offered 'im five pounds each for their share in the locket.
"And that means you've got your share for next to nothing, Sam," ses
Ginger.
"Some people wouldn't 'ave given you any-thing," ses Peter.
Sam gave way at last, and then 'e stood by making nasty remarks while
Ginger wrote out a paper for them all to sign, because he said he had
known Sam such a long time.
It was a'most daylight afore they got to sleep, and the fust thing Ginger
did when he woke was to wake Sam up, and offer to shake 'ands with him.
The noise woke Peter up, and, as Sam wouldn't shake 'ands with 'im
either, they both patted him on the back instead.
They made him take 'em to the little pub, arter breakfast, to read the
bill about the reward. Sam didn't mind going, as it 'appened, as he
'oped to meet 'is new pal there and tell 'im his troubles, but, though
they stayed there some time, 'e didn't turn up. He wasn't at the
coffee-shop for dinner, neither.
Peter and Ginger was in 'igh spirits, and, though Sam told 'em plain that
he would sooner walk about with a couple of real pickpockets, they
wouldn't leave 'im an inch.
"Anybody could steal it off of you, Sam," ses Ginger, patting 'im on the
weskit to make sure the locket was still there. "It's a good job you've
got us to look arter you."
"We must buy 'im a money-belt with a pocket in it," ses Peter.
Ginger nodded at 'im. "Yes," he ses, "that would be safer. And he'd
better wear it next to 'is skin, with everything over it. I should feel
more comfortable then."
"And wot about me?" says Sam, turning on 'im.
"Well, we'll take it in turns," ses Ginger. "You one day, and then me,
and then Peter."
Sam gave way at last, as arter all he could see it was the safest thing
to do, but he 'ad so much to say about it that they got fair sick of the
sound of 'is voice. They 'ad to go 'ome for 'im to put the belt on; and
then at seven o'clock in the evening, arter Sam had 'ad two or three
pints, they had to go 'ome agin, 'cos he was complaining of tight-lacing.
Ginger had it on next day and he went 'ome five times. The other two
went with 'im in case he lost 'imself, and stood there making nasty
remarks while he messed 'imself up with a penn'orth of cold cream. It
was a cheap belt, and pore Ginger said that, when they 'ad done with it,
it would come in handy for sand-paper.
Peter didn't like it any better than the other two did, and twice they
'ad to speak to 'im about stopping in the street and trying to make
'imself more comfortable by wriggling. Sam said people misunderstood it.
Arter that they agreed to wear it outside their shirt, and even then
Ginger said it scratched 'im. And every day they got more and more
worried about wot was the best thing to do with the locket, and whether
it would be safe to try and sell it. The idea o' walking about with a
fortune in their pockets that they couldn't spend a'most drove 'em crazy.
"The longer we keep it, the safer it'll be," ses Sam, as they was walking
down Hounds-ditch one day.
"We'll sell it when I'm sixty," ses Ginger, nasty-like.
"Then old Sam won't be 'ere to have 'is share," ses Peter.
Sam was just going to answer 'em back, when he stopped and began to smile
instead. Straight in front of 'im was the gentleman he 'ad met in the
coffee-shop, coming along with another man, and he just 'ad time to see
that it was the docker who 'ad sold him the locket, when they both saw
'im. They turned like a flash, and, afore Sam could get 'is breath,
bolted up a little alley and disappeared.
"Wot's the row?" ses Ginger, staring.
Sam didn't answer 'im. He stood there struck all of a heap.
"Do you know 'em?" ses Peter.
Sam couldn't answer 'im for a time. He was doing a bit of 'ard thinking.
"Chap I 'ad a row with the other night," he ses, at last.
He walked on very thoughtful, and the more 'e thought, the less 'e liked
it. He was so pale that Ginger thought 'e was ill and advised 'im to
'ave a drop o' brandy. Peter recommended rum, so to please 'em he 'ad
both. It brought 'is colour back, but not 'is cheerfulness.
He gave 'em both the slip next morning; which was easy, as Ginger was
wearing the locket, and, arter fust 'aving a long ride for nothing owing
to getting in the wrong train, he got to Barnet.
It was a big place; big enough to 'ave a dozen Orange Villas, but pore
Sam couldn't find one. It wasn't for want of trying neither.
He asked at over twenty shops, and the post-office, and even went to the
police-station. He must ha' walked six or seven miles looking for it,
and at last, 'arf ready to drop, 'e took the train back.
He 'ad some sausages and mashed potatoes with a pint o' stout at a place
in Bishopsgate, and then 'e started to walk 'ome. The only comfort he
'ad was the thought of the ten pounds Ginger and Peter 'ad paid 'im; and
when he remembered that he began to cheer up and even smile. By the time
he got 'ome 'e was beaming all over 'is face.
"Where've you been?" ses Ginger.
"Enjoying myself by myself," ses Sam.
"Please yourself," ses Peter, very severe, "but where'd you ha' been if
we 'ad sold the locket and skipped, eh?"
"You wouldn't 'ave enjoyed yourself by yourself then," ses Ginger. "Yes,
you may laugh!"
Sam didn't answer 'im, but he sat down on 'is bed and 'is shoulders shook
till Ginger lost his temper and gave him a couple o' thumps on the back
that pretty near broke it.
"All right," ses Sam, very firm. "Now you 'ave done for yourselves. I
'ad a'most made up my mind to go shares; now you sha'n't 'ave a
ha'penny."
Ginger laughed then. "Ho!" he ses, "and 'ow are you going to prevent
it?"
"We've got the locket, Sam," ses Peter, smiling and shaking his 'ead at
'im.
"And we'll mind it till it's sold," ses Ginger.
Sam laughed agin, short and nasty. Then he undressed 'imself very slow
and got into bed. At twelve o'clock, just as Ginger was dropping off, he
began to laugh agin, and 'e only stopped when 'e heard Ginger getting out
of bed to 'im.
He stayed in bed next morning, 'cos he said 'is sides was aching, but 'e
laughed agin as they was going out, and when they came back he 'ad gorn.
We never know 'ow much we' like anything till we lose it. A week
arterwards, as Ginger was being 'elped out of a pawnshop by Peter, he
said 'e would give all he 'adn't got for the locket to be near enough to
Sam to hear 'im laugh agin.
PAYING OFF
My biggest fault, said the night-watchman, gloomily, has been good
nature. I've spent the best part of my life trying to do my fellow-
creeturs a good turn. And what do I get for it? If all the people I've
helped was to come 'ere now there wouldn't be standing room for them on
this wharf. 'Arf of them would be pushed overboard--and a good place for
'em, too.
I've been like it all my life. I was good-natured enough to go to sea as
a boy because a skipper took a fancy to me and wanted my 'elp, and when I
got older I was good-natured enough to get married. All my life I've
given 'elp and advice free, and only a day or two ago one of 'em wot I
'ad given it to came round here with her 'usband and 'er two brothers and
'er mother and two or three people from the same street, to see her give
me "wot for."
Another fault o' mine has been being sharp. Most people make mistakes,
and they can't bear to see anybody as don't. Over and over agin I have
showed people 'ow silly they 'ave been to do certain things, and told 'em
wot I should ha' done in their place, but I can't remember one that ever
gave me a "thank you" for it.
There was a man 'ere 'arf an hour ago that reminded me of both of these
faults. He came in a-purpose to remind me, and 'e brought a couple o'
grinning, brass-faced monkeys with 'im to see 'im do it. I was sitting
on that barrel when he came, and arter two minutes I felt as if I was
sitting on red-'ot cinders. He purtended he 'ad come in for the sake of
old times and to ask arter my 'ealth, and all the time he was doing 'is
best to upset me to amuse them two pore objecks 'e 'ad brought with 'im.
Capt'in Mellun is his name, and 'e was always a foolish, soft-'eaded sort
o' man, and how he 'as kept 'is job I can't think. He used to trade
between this wharf and Bristol on a little schooner called the _Firefly_,
and seeing wot a silly, foolish kind o' man he was, I took a little bit
o' notice of 'im. Many and many a time when 'e was going to do something
he'd ha' been sorry for arterwards I 'ave taken 'im round to the Bear's
Head and stood 'im pint arter pint until he began to see reason and own
up that I was in the right.
His crew was a'most as bad as wot he was, and all in one month one o' the
'ands gave a man ten shillings for a di'mond ring he saw 'im pick up, wot
turned out to be worth fourpence, and another one gave five bob for a
meerschaum pipe made o' chalk. When I pointed out to 'em wot fools they
was they didn't like it, and a week arterwards, when the skipper gave a
man in a pub 'is watch and chain and two pounds to hold, to show 'is
confidence in 'im, and I told 'im exactly wot I thought of him, 'e didn't
like it.
"You're too sharp, Bill," he says, sneering like. "My opinion is that
the pore man was run over. He told me 'e should only be away five
minutes. And he 'ad got an honest face: nice open blue eyes, and a smile
that done you good to look at."
"You've been swindled," I ses, "and you know it. If I'd been done like
that I should never hold up my 'ead agin. Why, a child o' five would
know better. You and your crew all seem to be tarred with the same
brush. You ain't fit to be trusted out alone."
I believe 'e told his 'ands wot I said; anyway, two bits o' coke missed
me by 'arf an inch next evening, and for some weeks not one of 'em spoke
a word to me. When they see me coming they just used to stand up
straight and twist their nose.
It didn't 'urt me, o' course. I took no notice of 'em. Even when one of
'em fell over the broom I was sweeping with I took no notice of 'im. I
just went on with my work as if 'e wasn't there.
I suppose they 'ad been in the sulks about a month, and I was sitting
'ere one evening getting my breath arter a couple o' hours' 'ard work,
when one of 'em, George Tebb by name, came off the ship and nodded to me
as he passed.
"Evening, Bill," he ses.
"Evening," I ses, rather stiff.
"I wanted a word with you, Bill," he ses, in a low voice. "In fact, I
might go so far as to say I want to ask you to do me a favour."
I looked at him so 'ard that he coughed and looked away.
"We might talk about it over a 'arf-pint," he ses.
"No, thank you," I ses. "I 'ad a 'arf-pint the day before yesterday, and
I'm not thirsty."
He stood there fidgeting about for a bit, and then he puts his 'and on my
shoulder.
"Well, come to the end of the jetty," he ses. "I've got something
private to say."
I got up slow-like and followed 'im. I wasn't a bit curious. Not a bit.
But if a man asks for my 'elp I always give it.
"It's like this," he ses, looking round careful, "only I don't want the
other chaps to hear because I don't want to be laughed at. Last week an
old uncle o' mine died and left me thirty pounds. It's just a week ago,
and I've already got through five of 'em, and besides that the number of
chaps that want to borrow ten bob for a couple o' days would surprise
you."
"I ain't so easy surprised," I ses, shaking my 'ead.
"It ain't safe with me," he ses; "and the favour I want you to do is to
take care of it for me. I know it'll go if I keep it. I've got it
locked up in this box. And if you keep the box I'll keep the key, and
when I want a bit I'll come and see you about it."
He pulled a little box out of 'is pocket and rattled it in my ear.
"There's five-and-twenty golden goblins in there," he ses. "If you take
charge of 'em they'll be all right. If you don't, I'm pretty certain I
sha'n't 'ave one of 'em in a week or two's time."
At fust I said I wouldn't 'ave anything to do with it, but he begged so
'ard that I began to alter my mind.
"You're as honest as daylight, Bill," he ses, very earnest. "I don't
know another man in the world I could trust with twenty-five quid--
especially myself. Now, put it in your pocket and look arter it for me.
One of the quids in it is for you, for your trouble."
He slipped the box in my coat-pocket, and then he said 'is mind was so
relieved that 'e felt like 'arf a pint. I was for going to the Bear's
Head, the place I generally go to, because it is next door to the wharf,
so to speak, but George wanted me to try the beer at another place he
knew of.
"The wharf's all right," he ses. "There's one or two 'ands on the ship,
and they won't let anybody run away with it."
From wot he said I thought the pub was quite close, but instead o' that I
should think we walked pretty nearly a mile afore we got there. Nice
snug place it was, and the beer was all right, although, as I told George
Tebb, it didn't seem to me any better than the stuff at the Bear's Head.
He stood me two 'arf-pints and was just going to order another, when 'e
found 'e 'adn't got any money left, and he wouldn't hear of me paying for
it, because 'e said it was his treat.
"We'll 'ave a quid out o' the box," he ses. "I must 'ave one to go on
with, anyway." I shook my 'ead at 'im.
"Only one," he ses, "and that'll last me a fortnight. Besides, I want to
give you the quid I promised you."
I gave way at last, and he put his 'and in 'is trouser-pocket for the
key, and then found it wasn't there.
"I must ha' left it in my chest," he ses. "I'll 'op back and get it."
And afore I could prevent 'im he 'ad waved his 'and at me and gorn.
My fust idea was to go arter 'im, but I knew I couldn't catch 'im, and if
I tried to meet 'im coming back I should most likely miss 'im through the
side streets. So I sat there with my pipe and waited.
I suppose I 'ad been sitting down waiting for him for about ten minutes,
when a couple o' sailormen came into the bar and began to make themselves
a nuisance. Big fat chaps they was, and both of 'em more than 'arf
sprung. And arter calling for a pint apiece they began to take a little
notice of me.
"Where d'you come from?" ses one of 'em. "'Ome," I ses, very quiet.
"It's a good place--'ome," ses the chap, shaking his 'ead. "Can you sing
"Ome, Sweet 'Ome'? You seem to 'ave got wot I might call a 'singing
face.'"
"Never mind about my face," I ses, very sharp. "You mind wot you're
doing with that beer. You'll 'ave it over in a minute."
The words was 'ardly out of my mouth afore 'e gave a lurch and spilt his
pint all over me. From 'ead to foot I was dripping with beer, and I was
in such a temper I wonder I didn't murder 'im; but afore I could move
they both pulled out their pocket-'ankerchers and started to rub me down.
"That'll do," I ses at last, arter they 'ad walked round me 'arf-a-dozen
times and patted me all over to see if I was dry. "You get off while
you're safe."
"It was my mistake, mate," ses the chap who 'ad spilt the beer.
"You get outside," I ses. "Go on, both of you, afore I put you out."
They gave one look at me, standing there with my fists clenched, and then
they went out like lambs, and I 'eard 'em trot round the corner as though
they was afraid I was following. I felt a little bit damp and chilly,
but beer is like sea-water--you don't catch cold through it--and I sat
down agin to wait for George Tebb.
He came in smiling and out 'o breath in about ten minutes' time, with the
key in 'is 'and, and as soon as I told 'im wot had 'appened to me with
the beer he turned to the landlord and ordered me six o' rum 'ot at once.
"Drink that up," he ses, 'anding it to me; "but fust of all give me the
box, so as I can pay for it."
I put my 'and in my pocket. Then I put it in the other one, and arter
that I stood staring at George Tebb and shaking all over.
"Wot's the matter? Wot are you looking like that for?" he ses.
"It must ha' been them two," I ses, choking. "While they was purtending
to dry me and patting me all over they must 'ave taken it out of my
pocket."
"Wot are you talking about?" ses George, staring at me.
"The box 'as gorn," I ses, putting down the 'ot rum and feeling in my
trouser-pocket. "The box 'as gorn, and them two must 'ave taken it."
"Gorn!" ses George. "Gorn! My box with twenty-five pounds in, wot I
trusted you with, gorn? Wot are you talking about? It can't be--it's
too crool!"
He made such a noise that the landlord wot was waiting for 'is money,
asked 'im wot he meant by it, and, arter he 'ad explained, I'm blest if
the landlord didn't advise him to search me. I stood still and let
George go through my pockets, and then I told 'im I 'ad done with 'im and
I never wanted to see 'im agin as long as I lived.
"I dare say," ses George, "I dare say. But you'll come along with me to
the wharf and see the skipper. I'm not going to lose five-and-twenty
quid through your carelessness."
I marched along in front of 'im with my 'ead in the air, and when he
spoke to me I didn't answer him. He went aboard the ship when we got to
the wharf, and a minute or two arterwards 'e came to the side and said
the skipper wanted to see me.
The airs the skipper gave 'imself was sickening. He sat down there in
'is miserable little rat-'ole of a cabin and acted as if 'e was a judge
and I was a prisoner. Most of the 'ands 'ad squeezed in there too, and
the things they advised George to do to me was remarkable.
"Silence!" ses the skipper. "Now, watchman, tell me exactly 'ow this
thing 'appened."
"I've told you once," I ses.
"I know," ses the skipper, "but I want you to tell me again to see if you
contradict yourself. I can't understand 'ow such a clever man as you
could be done so easy."
I thought I should ha' bust, but I kept my face wonderful. I just asked
'im wot the men was like that got off with 'is watch and chain and two
pounds, in case they might be the same.
"That's different," he ses.
"Oh!" ses I. "'Ow?"
"I lost my own property," he ses, "but you lost George's, and 'ow a man
like you, that's so much sharper and cleverer than other people, could be
had so easy, I can't think. Why, a child of five would ha' known
better."
"A baby in arms would ha' known better," ses the man wot 'ad bought the
di'mond ring. "'Ow could you 'ave been so silly, Bill? At your time o'
life, too!"
"That's neither 'ere nor there," ses the skip-per. "The watchman has
lost twenty-five quid belonging to one o' my men. The question is, wot
is he going to do about it?"
"Nothing," I ses. "I didn't ask 'im to let me mind the box. He done it
of 'is own free will. It's got nothing to do with me."
"Oh, hasn't it?" ses the skipper, drawing 'imself up. "I don't want to
be too 'ard on you, but at the same time I can't let my man suffer. I'll
make it as easy as I can, and I order you to pay 'im five shillings a
week till the twenty-five pounds is cleared off."
I laughed; I couldn't 'elp it. I just stood there and laughed at 'im.
"If you don't," ses the skipper, "then I shall lay the facts of the case
afore the guv'nor. Whether he'll object to you being in a pub a mile
away, taking care of a box of gold while you was supposed to be taking
care of the wharf, is his bisness. My bisness is to see that my man 'as
'is rights."
"'Ear, 'ear !" ses the crew.
"You please yourself, watchman," ses the skipper. "You're such a clever
man that no doubt you could get a better job to-morrow. There must be
'eaps of people wanting a man like you. It's for you to decide. That's
all I've got to say--five bob a week till pore George 'as got 'is money
back, or else I put the case afore the guv'nor. Wot did you say?"
I said it agin, and, as 'e didn't seem to understand, I said it once
more.
"Please yourself," 'e ses, when I 'ad finished. "You're an old man, and
five bob a week can't be much loss to you. You've got nothing to spend
it on, at your time o' life. And you've got a very soft job 'ere. Wot?"
I didn't answer 'im. I just turned round, and, arter giving a man wot
stood in my way a punch in the chest, I got up on deck and on to the
wharf, and said my little say all alone to myself, behind the crane.
I paid the fust five bob to George Tebb the next time the ship was up,
and arter biting 'em over and over agin and then ringing 'em on the
deck 'e took the other chaps round to the Bear's Head.
"P'r'aps it's just as well it's 'appened," he ses. "Five bob a week for
nearly two years ain't to be sneezed at. It's slow, but it's sure."
I thought 'e was joking at fust, but arter working it out in the office
with a bit o' pencil and paper I thought I should ha' gorn crazy. And
when I complained about the time to George 'e said I could make it
shorter if I liked by paying ten bob a week, but 'e thought the steady
five bob a week was best for both of us.
I got to 'ate the sight of 'im. Every week regular as clockwork he used
to come round to me with his 'and out, and then go and treat 'is mates to
beer with my money. If the ship came up in the day-time, at six o'clock
in the evening he'd be at the wharf gate waiting for me; and if it came
up at night she was no sooner made fast than 'e was over the side patting
my trouser-pocket and saying wot a good job it was for both of us that I
was in steady employment.
Week arter week and month arter month I went on paying. I a'most forgot
the taste o' beer, and if I could manage to get a screw o' baccy a week I
thought myself lucky. And at last, just as I thought I couldn't stand it
any longer, the end came.
I 'ad just given George 'is week's money--and 'ow I got it together that
week I don't know--when one o' the chaps came up and said the skipper
wanted to see me on board at once.
"Tell 'im if he wants to see me I'm to be found on the wharf," I ses,
very sharp.
"He wants to see you about George's money," ses the chap. "I should go
if I was you. My opinion is he wants to do you a good turn."
I 'ung fire for a bit, and then, arter sweeping up for a little while
deliberate-like, I put down my broom and stepped aboard to see the
skipper, wot was sitting on the cabin skylight purtending to read a
newspaper.
He put it down when 'e see me, and George and the others, wot 'ad been
standing in a little bunch for'ard, came aft and stood looking on.
"I wanted to see you about this money, watchman," ses the skipper,
putting on 'is beastly frills agin. "O' course, we all feel that to a
pore man like you it's a bit of a strain, and, as George ses, arter all
you have been more foolish than wicked."
"Much more," ses George.
"I find that you 'ave now paid five bob a week for nineteen weeks," ses
the skipper, "and George 'as been kind enough and generous enough to let
you off the rest. There's no need for you to look bashful, George; it's
a credit to you."
I could 'ardly believe my ears. George stood there grinning like a stuck
fool, and two o' the chaps was on their best behaviour with their 'ands
over their mouths and their eyes sticking out.
"That's all, watchman," ses the skipper; "and I 'ope it'll be a lesson to
you not to neglect your dooty by going into public-'ouses and taking
charge of other people's money when you ain't fit for it."
"I sha'n't try to do anybody else a kindness agin, if that's wot you
mean," I ses, looking at 'im.
"No, you'd better not," he ses. "This partickler bit o' kindness 'as
cost you four pounds fifteen, and that's a curious thing when you come to
think of it. Very curious."
"Wot d'ye mean?" I ses.
"Why," he ses, grinning like a madman, "it's just wot we lost between us.
I lost a watch and chain worth two pounds, and another couple o' pounds
besides; Joe lost ten shillings over 'is di'mond ring; and Charlie lost
five bob over a pipe. 'That's four pounds fifteen--just the same as
you."
Them silly fools stood there choking and sobbing and patting each other
on the back as though they'd never leave off, and all of a sudden I 'ad a
'orrible suspicion that I 'ad been done.
"Did you see the sovereigns in the box?" I ses, turning to the skipper.
"No," he ses, shaking his 'ead.
"'Ow do you know they was there, then?" ses I.
"Because you took charge of 'em," said the skipper; "and I know wot a
clever, sharp chap you are. It stands to reason that you wouldn't be
responsible for a box like that unless you saw inside of it. Why, a
child o' five wouldn't!"
I stood there looking at 'im, but he couldn't meet my eye. None of 'em
could; and arter waiting there for a minute or two to give 'em a chance,
I turned my back on 'em and went off to my dooty.
MADE TO MEASURE
Mr. Mott brought his niece home from the station with considerable pride.
Although he had received a photograph to assist identification, he had
been very dubious about accosting the pretty, well-dressed girl who had
stepped from the train and gazed around with dove-like eyes in search of
him. Now he was comfortably conscious of the admiring gaze of his
younger fellow-townsmen.
"You'll find it a bit dull after London, I expect," he remarked, as he
inserted his key in the door of a small house in a quiet street.
"I'm tired of London," said Miss Garland. "I think this is a beautiful
little old town--so peaceful."
Mr. Mott looked gratified.
"I hope you'll stay a long time," he said, as he led the way into the
small front room. "I'm a lonely old man."
His niece sank into an easy chair, and looked about her.
"Thank you," she said, slowly. "I hope I shall. I feel better already.
There is so much to upset one in London."
"Noise?" queried Mr. Mott.
"And other things," said Miss Garland, with a slight shudder.
Mr. Mott sighed in sympathy with the unknown, and, judging by his niece's
expression, the unknowable. He rearranged the teacups, and, going to the
kitchen, returned in a few minutes with a pot of tea.
"Mrs. Pett leaves at three," he said, in explanation, "to look after her
children, but she comes back again at eight to look after my supper. And
how is your mother?"
Miss Garland told him.
"Last letter I had from her," said Mr. Mott, stealing a glance at the
girl's ring-finger, "I understood you were engaged."
His niece drew herself up.
"Certainly not," she said, with considerable vigour. "I have seen too
much of married life. I prefer my freedom. Besides, I don't like men."
Mr. Mott said modestly that he didn't wonder at it, and, finding the
subject uncongenial, turned the conversation on to worthier subjects.
Miss Garland's taste, it seemed, lay in the direction of hospital
nursing, or some other occupation beneficial to mankind at large. Simple
and demure, she filled the simpler Mr. Mott with a strong sense of the
shortcomings of his unworthy sex.
Within two days, under the darkling glance of Mrs. Pett, she had altered
the arrangements of the house. Flowers appeared on the meal-table,
knives and forks were properly cleaned, and plates no longer appeared
ornamented with the mustard of a previous meal. Fresh air circulated
through the house, and, passing from Mrs. Pett's left knee to the lumbar
region of Mr. Mott, went on its beneficent way rejoicing.
On the fifth day of her visit, Mr. Mott sat alone in the front parlour.
The window was closed, the door was closed, and Mr. Mott, sitting in an
easy chair with his feet up, was aroused from a sound nap by the door
opening to admit a young man, who, deserted by Mrs. Pett, stood bowing
awkwardly in the doorway.
"Is Miss Garland in?" he stammered.
Mr. Mott rubbed the remnants of sleep from his eyelids.
"She has gone for a walk," he said, slowly.
The young man stood fingering his hat.
"My name is Hurst," he said, with slight emphasis. "Mr. Alfred Hurst."
Mr. Mott, still somewhat confused, murmured that he was glad to hear it.
"I have come from London to see Florrie," continued the intruder. "I
suppose she won't be long?"
Mr. Mott thought not, and after a moment's hesitation invited Mr. Hurst
to take a chair.
"I suppose she told you we are engaged?" said the latter.
"Engaged!" said the startled Mr. Mott. "Why, she told me she didn't like
men."
"Playfulness," replied Mr. Hurst, with an odd look. "Ah, here she is!"
The handle of the front door turned, and a moment later the door of the
room was opened and the charming head of Miss Garland appeared in the
opening.
"Back again," she said, brightly. "I've just been----"
She caught sight of Mr. Hurst, and the words died away on her lips. The
door slammed, and the two gentlemen, exchanging glances, heard a hurried
rush upstairs and the slamming of another door. Also a key was heard to
turn sharply in a lock.
"She doesn't want to see you," said Mr. Mott, staring.
The young man turned pale.
"Perhaps she has gone upstairs to take her things off," he muttered,
resuming his seat. "Don't--don't hurry her!"
"I wasn't going to," said Mr. Mott.
He twisted his beard uneasily, and at the end of ten minutes looked from
the clock to Mr. Hurst and coughed.
"If you wouldn't mind letting her know I'm waiting," said the young man,
brokenly.
Mr. Mott rose, and went slowly upstairs. More slowly still, after an
interval of a few minutes, he came back again.
"She doesn't want to see you," he said, slowly.
Mr. Hurst gasped.
"I--I must see her," he faltered.
"She won't see you," repeated Mr. Mott. "And she told me to say she was
surprised at you following her down here."
Mr. Hurst uttered a faint moan, and with bent head passed into the little
passage and out into the street, leaving Mr. Mott to return to the
sitting-room and listen to such explanations as Miss Garland deemed
advisable. Great goodness of heart in the face of persistent and
unwelcome attentions appeared to be responsible for the late engagement.
"Well, it's over now," said her uncle, kindly, "and no doubt he'll soon
find somebody else. There are plenty of girls would jump at him, I
expect."
Miss Garland shook her head.
"He said he couldn't live without me," she remarked, soberly.
Mr. Mott laughed.
"In less than three months I expect he'll be congratulating himself," he
said, cheerfully. "Why, I was nearly cau--married, four times. It's a
silly age."
His niece said "Indeed!" and, informing him in somewhat hostile tones
that she was suffering from a severe headache, retired to her room.
Mr. Mott spent the evening by himself, and retiring to bed at ten-thirty
was awakened by a persistent knocking at the front door at half-past one.
Half awakened, he lit a candle, and, stumbling downstairs, drew back the
bolt of the door, and stood gaping angrily at the pathetic features of
Mr. Hurst.
"Sorry to disturb you," said the young man, "but would you mind giving
this letter to Miss Garland?"
"Sorry to disturb me!" stuttered Mr. Mott. "What do you mean by it? Eh?
What do you mean by it?"
"It is important," said Mr. Hurst. "I can't rest. I've eaten nothing
all day."
"Glad to hear it," snapped the irritated Mr. Mott.
"If you will give her that letter, I shall feel easier," said Mr. Hurst.
"I'll give it to her in the morning," said the other, snatching it from
him. "Now get off."
Mr. Hurst still murmuring apologies, went, and Mr. Mott, also murmuring,
returned to bed. The night was chilly, and it was some time before he
could get to sleep again. He succeeded at last, only to be awakened an
hour later by a knocking more violent than before. In a state of mind
bordering upon frenzy, he dived into his trousers again and went
blundering downstairs in the dark.
"Sorry to--" began Mr. Hurst.
Mr. Mott made uncouth noises at him.
"I have altered my mind," said the young man. "Would you mind letting me
have that letter back again? It was too final."
"You--get--off !" said the other, trembling with cold and passion.
"I must have that letter," said Mr. Hurst, doggedly. "All my future
happiness may depend upon it."
Mr. Mott, afraid to trust himself with speech, dashed upstairs, and after
a search for the matches found the letter, and, returning to the front
door, shut it on the visitor's thanks. His niece's door opened as he
passed it, and a gentle voice asked for enlightenment.
"How silly of him!" she said, softly. "I hope he won't catch cold.
What did you say?"
"I was coughing," said Mr. Mott, hastily.
"You'll get cold if you're not careful," said his thoughtful niece.
"That's the worst of men, they never seem to have any thought. Did he
seem angry, or mournful, or what? I suppose you couldn't see his face?"
"I didn't try," said Mr. Mott, crisply. "Good night."
By the morning his ill-humour had vanished, and he even became slightly
facetious over the events of the night. The mood passed at the same
moment that Mr. Hurst passed the window.
"Better have him in and get it over," he said, irritably.
Miss Garland shuddered.
"Never!" she said, firmly. "He'd be down on his knees. It would be too
painful. You don't know him."
"Don't want to," said Mr. Mott.
He finished his breakfast in silence, and, after a digestive pipe,
proposed a walk. The profile of Mr. Hurst, as it went forlornly past the
window again, served to illustrate Miss Garland's refusal.
"I'll go out and see him," said Mr. Mott, starting up. "Are you going to
be a prisoner here until this young idiot chooses to go home? It's
preposterous!"
He crammed his hat on firmly and set out in pursuit of Mr. Hurst, who was
walking slowly up the street, glancing over his shoulder. "Morning!"
said Mr. Mott, fiercely. "Good morning," said the other.
"Now, look here," said Mr. Mott. "This has gone far enough, and I won't
have any more of it. Why, you ought to be ashamed of yourself, chivvying
a young lady that doesn't want you. Haven't you got any pride?"
"No," said the young man, "not where she is concerned."
"I don't believe you have," said the other, regarding him, "and I expect
that's where the trouble is. Did she ever have reason to think you were
looking after any other girls?"
"Never, I swear it," said Mr. Hurst, eagerly.
"Just so," said Mr. Mott, with a satisfied nod. "That's where you made a
mistake. She was too sure of you; it was too easy. No excitement.
Girls like a man that other girls want; they don't want a turtle-dove in
fancy trousers."
Mr. Hurst coughed.
"And they like a determined man," continued Miss Garland's uncle. "Why,
in my young days, if I had been jilted, and come down to see about it,
d'you think I'd have gone out of the house without seeing her? I might
have been put out--by half-a-dozen--but I'd have taken the mantelpiece
and a few other things with me. And you are bigger than I am."
"We aren't all made the same," said Mr. Hurst, feebly.
"No, we're not," said Mr. Mott. "I'm not blaming you; in a way, I'm
sorry for you. If you're not born with a high spirit, nothing'll give it
to you."
"It might be learnt," said Mr. Hurst. Mr. Mott laughed.
"High spirits are born, not made," he said. "The best thing you can do
is to go and find another girl, and marry her before she finds you out."
Mr. Hurst shook his head.
"There's no other girl for me," he said, miserably. "And everything
seemed to be going so well. We've been buying things for the house for
the last six months, and I've just got a good rise in my screw."
"It'll do for another girl," said Mr. Mott, briskly. "Now, you get off
back to town. You are worrying Florrie by staying here, and you are
doing no good to anybody. Good-bye."
"I'll walk back as far as the door with you," said Mr. Hurst. "You've
done me good. It's a pity I didn't meet you before."
"Remember what I've told you, and you'll do well yet," he said, patting
the young man on the arm.
"I will," said Mr. Hurst, and walked on by his side, deep in thought.
"I can't ask you in," said Mr. Mott, jocularly, as he reached his door,
and turned the key in the lock. "Good-bye."
"Good-bye," said Mr. Hurst.
He grasped the other's outstretched hand, and with a violent jerk pulled
him into the street. Then he pushed open the door, and, slipping into
the passage, passed hastily into the front room, closely followed by the
infuriated Mr. Mott.
"What--what--what!" stammered that gentleman.
"I'm taking your tip," said Mr. Hurst, pale but determined. "I'm going
to stay here until I have seen Florrie."
"You--you're a serpent," said Mr. Mott, struggling for breath. "I--I'm
surprised at you. You go out before you get hurt."
"Not without the mantelpiece," said Mr. Hurst, with a distorted grin.
"A viper!" said Mr. Mott, with extreme bitterness. "If you are not out
in two minutes I'll send for the police."
"Florrie wouldn't like that," said Mr. Hurst. "She's awfully particular
about what people think. You just trot upstairs and tell her that a
gentleman wants to see her."
He threw himself into Mr. Mott's own particular easy chair, and, crossing
his knees, turned a deaf ear to the threats of that incensed gentleman.
Not until the latter had left the room did his features reveal the
timorousness of the soul within. Muffled voices sounded from upstairs,
and it was evident that an argument of considerable length was in
progress. It was also evident from the return of Mr. Mott alone that his
niece had had the best of it.
"I've done all I could," he said, "but she declines to see you. She says
she won't see you if you stay here for a month, and you couldn't do that,
you know."
"Why not?" inquired Mr. Hurst.
"Why not?" repeated Mr. Mott, repressing his feelings with some
difficulty. "Food!"
Mr. Hurst started.
"And drink," said Mr. Mott, following up his advantage. "There's no good
in starving yourself for nothing, so you may as well go."
"When I've seen Florrie," said the young man, firmly.
Mr. Mott slammed the door, and for the rest of the day Mr. Hurst saw him
no more. At one o'clock a savoury smell passed the door on its way
upstairs, and at five o'clock a middle-aged woman with an inane smile
looked into the room on her way aloft with a loaded tea-tray. By supper-
time he was suffering considerably from hunger and thirst.
At ten o'clock he heard the footsteps of Mr. Mott descending the stairs.
The door opened an inch, and a gruff voice demanded to know whether he
was going to stay there all night. Receiving a cheerful reply in the
affirmative, Mr. Mott secured the front door with considerable violence,
and went off to bed without another word.
He was awakened an hour or two later by the sound of something falling,
and, sitting up in bed to listen, became aware of a warm and agreeable
odour. It was somewhere about the hour of midnight, but a breakfast
smell of eggs and bacon would not be denied.
He put on some clothes and went downstairs. A crack of light showed
under the kitchen door, and, pushing it open with some force, he gazed
spellbound at the spectacle before him.
"Come in," said Mr. Hurst, heartily. "I've just finished."
He rocked an empty beer-bottle and patted another that was half full.
Satiety was written on his face as he pushed an empty plate from him,
and, leaning back in his chair, smiled lazily at Mr. Mott.
"Go on," said that gentleman, hoarsely. Mr. Hurst shook his head.
"Enough is as good as a feast," he said, reasonably. "I'll have some
more to-morrow."
"Oh, will you?" said the other. "Will you?"
Mr. Hurst nodded, and, opening his coat, disclosed a bottle of beer in
each breast-pocket. The other pockets, it appeared, contained food.
"And here's the money for it," he said, putting down some silver on the
table. "I am determined, but honest."
With a sweep of his hand, Mr. Mott sent the money flying.
"To-morrow morning I send for the police. Mind that!" he roared.
"I'd better have my breakfast early, then," said Mr. Hurst, tapping his
pockets. "Good night. And thank you for your advice."
He sat for some time after the disappearance of his host, and then,
returning to the front room, placed a chair at the end of the sofa and,
with the tablecloth for a quilt, managed to secure a few hours' troubled
sleep. At eight o'clock he washed at the scullery sink, and at ten
o'clock Mr. Mott, with an air of great determination, came in to deliver
his ultimatum.
"If you're not outside the front door in five minutes, I'm going to fetch
the police," he said, fiercely.
"I want to see Florrie," said the other.
"Well, you won't see her," shouted Mr. Mott.
Mr. Hurst stood feeling his chin.
"Well, would you mind taking a message for me?" he asked. "I just want
you to ask her whether I am really free. Ask her whether I am free to
marry again."
Mr. Mott eyed him in amazement.
"You see, I only heard from her mother," pursued Mr. Hurst, "and a friend
of mine who is in a solicitor's office says that isn't good enough. I
only came down here to make sure, and I think the least she can do is to
tell me herself. If she won't see me, perhaps she'd put it in writing.
You see, there's another lady."
"But" said the mystified Mr. Mott.
"You told me----"
"You tell her that," said the other.
Mr. Mott stood for a few seconds staring at him, and then without a word
turned on his heel and went upstairs. Left to himself, Mr. Hurst walked
nervously up and down the room, and, catching sight of his face in the
old-fashioned glass on the mantel-piece, heightened its colour by a few
pinches. The minutes seemed inter-minable, but at last he heard the
steps of Mr. Mott on the stairs again.
"She's coming down to see you herself," said the latter, solemnly.
Mr. Hurst nodded, and, turning to the window, tried in vain to take an
interest in passing events. A light step sounded on the stairs, the door
creaked, and he turned to find himself con-fronted by Miss Garland.
"Uncle told me" she began, coldly. Mr. Hurst bowed.
"I am sorry to have caused you so much trouble," he said, trying to
control his voice, "but you see my position, don't you?"
"No," said the girl.
"Well, I wanted to make sure," said Mr. Hurst. "It's best for all of us,
isn't it? Best for you, best for me, and, of course, for my young lady."
"You never said anything about her before," said Miss Garland, her eyes
darkening.
"Of course not," said Mr. Hurst. "How could I? I was engaged to you,
and then she wasn't my young lady; but, of course, as soon as you broke
it off--"
"Who is she?" inquired Miss Garland, in a casual voice.
"You don't know her," said Mr. Hurst.
"What is she like?"
"I can't describe her very well," said Mr. Hurst. "I can only say she's
the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. I think that's what made me
take to her. And she's easily pleased. She liked the things I have been
buying for the house tremendously."
"Did she?" said Miss Garland, with a gasp.
"All except that pair of vases you chose," continued the veracious Mr.
Hurst. "She says they are in bad taste, but she can give them to the
charwoman."
"Oh!" said the girl. "Oh, indeed! Very kind of her. Isn't there
anything else she doesn't like?"
Mr. Hurst stood considering.
"She doesn't like the upholstering of the best chairs," he said at last.
"She thinks they are too showy, so she's going to put covers over them."
There was a long pause, during which Mr. Mott, taking his niece gently by
the arm, assisted her to a chair.
"Otherwise she is quite satisfied," concluded Mr. Hurst.
Miss Garland took a deep breath, but made no reply.
"I have got to satisfy her that I am free," said the young man, after
another pause. "I suppose that I can do so?"
"I--I'll think it over," said Miss Garland, in a low voice. "I am not
sure what is the right thing to do. I don't want to see you made
miserable for life. It's nothing to me, of course, but still--"
She got up and, shaking off the proffered assistance of her uncle, went
slowly and languidly up to her room. Mr. Mott followed her as far as the
door, and then turned indignantly upon Mr. Hurst.
"You--you've broke her heart," he said, solemnly.
"That's all right," said Mr. Hurst, with a delighted wink. "I'll mend it
again."
SAM'S GHOST
Yes, I know, said the night-watchman, thoughtfully, as he sat with a cold
pipe in his mouth gazing across the river. I've 'eard it afore. People
tell me they don't believe in ghosts and make a laugh of 'em, and all I
say is: let them take on a night-watchman's job. Let 'em sit 'ere all
alone of a night with the water lapping against the posts and the wind
moaning in the corners; especially if a pal of theirs has slipped
overboard, and there is little nasty bills stuck up just outside in the
High Street offering a reward for the body. Twice men 'ave fallen
overboard from this jetty, and I've 'ad to stand my watch here the same
night, and not a farthing more for it.
One of the worst and artfullest ghosts I ever 'ad anything to do with was
Sam Bullet. He was a waterman at the stairs near by 'ere; the sort o'
man that 'ud get you to pay for drinks, and drink yours up by mistake
arter he 'ad finished his own. The sort of man that 'ad always left his
baccy-box at 'ome, but always 'ad a big pipe in 'is pocket.
He fell overboard off of a lighter one evening, and all that his mates
could save was 'is cap. It was on'y two nights afore that he 'ad knocked
down an old man and bit a policeman's little finger to the bone, so that,
as they pointed out to the widder, p'r'aps he was taken for a wise
purpose. P'r'aps he was 'appier where he was than doing six months.
"He was the sort o' chap that'll make himself 'appy anywhere," ses one of
'em, comforting-like.
"Not without me," ses Mrs. Bullet, sobbing, and wiping her eyes on
something she used for a pocket-hankercher. "He never could bear to be
away from me. Was there no last words?"
"On'y one," ses one o' the chaps, Joe Peel by name.
"As 'e fell overboard," ses the other.
Mrs. Bullet began to cry agin, and say wot a good 'usband he 'ad been.
"Seventeen years come Michaelmas," she ses, "and never a cross word.
Nothing was too good for me. Nothing. I 'ad only to ask to 'ave."
"Well, he's gorn now," ses Joe, "and we thought we ought to come round
and tell you."
"So as you can tell the police," ses the other chap.
That was 'ow I came to hear of it fust; a policeman told me that night as
I stood outside the gate 'aving a quiet pipe. He wasn't shedding tears;
his only idea was that Sam 'ad got off too easy.
"Well, well," I ses, trying to pacify 'im, "he won't bite no more
fingers; there's no policemen where he's gorn to."
He went off grumbling and telling me to be careful, and I put my pipe out
and walked up and down the wharf thinking. On'y a month afore I 'ad lent
Sam fifteen shillings on a gold watch and chain wot he said an uncle 'ad
left 'im. I wasn't wearing it because 'e said 'is uncle wouldn't like
it, but I 'ad it in my pocket, and I took it out under one of the lamps
and wondered wot I ought to do.
My fust idea was to take it to Mrs. Bullet, and then, all of a sudden,
the thought struck me: "Suppose he 'adn't come by it honest?"
I walked up and down agin, thinking. If he 'adn't, and it was found out,
it would blacken his good name and break 'is pore wife's 'art. That's
the way I looked at it, and for his sake and 'er sake I determined to
stick to it.
I felt 'appier in my mind when I 'ad decided on that, and I went round to
the Bear's Head and 'ad a pint. Arter that I 'ad another, and then I
come back to the wharf and put the watch and chain on and went on with my
work.
Every time I looked down at the chain on my waistcoat it reminded me of
Sam. I looked on to the river and thought of 'im going down on the ebb.
Then I got a sort o' lonesome feeling standing on the end of the jetty
all alone, and I went back to the Bear's Head and 'ad another pint.
They didn't find the body, and I was a'most forgetting about Sam when one
evening, as I was sitting on a box waiting to get my breath back to 'ave
another go at sweeping, Joe Peel, Sam's mate, came on to the wharf to see
me.
He came in a mysterious sort o' way that I didn't like: looking be'ind
'im as though he was afraid of being follered, and speaking in a whisper
as if 'e was afraid of being heard. He wasn't a man I liked, and I was
glad that the watch and chain was stowed safe away in my trowsis-pocket.
"I've 'ad a shock, watchman," he ses.
"Oh!" I ses.
"A shock wot's shook me all up," he ses, working up a shiver. "I've seen
something wot I thought people never could see, and wot I never want to
see agin. I've seen Sam!"
I thought a bit afore I spoke. "Why, I thought he was drownded," I ses.
"So 'e is," ses Joe. "When I say I've seen 'im I mean that I 'ave seen
his ghost!"
He began to shiver agin, all over.
"Wot was it like?" I ses, very calm.
"Like Sam," he ses, rather short.
"When was it?" I ses.
"Last night at a quarter to twelve," he ses. "It was standing at my
front door waiting for me."
"And 'ave you been shivering like that ever since?" I ses.
"Worse than that," ses Joe, looking at me very 'ard. "It's wearing off
now. The ghost gave me a message for you."
I put my 'and in my trowsis-pocket and looked at 'im. Then I walked very
slow, towards the gate.
"It gave me a message for you," ses Joe, walking beside me. "'We was
always pals, Joe,'" it ses, "'you and me, and I want you to pay up
fifteen bob for me wot I borrowed off of Bill the watchman. I can't rest
until it's paid,' it ses. So here's the fifteen bob, watchman."
He put his 'and in 'is pocket and takes out fifteen bob and 'olds it out
to me.
"No, no," I ses. "I can't take your money, Joe Peel. It wouldn't be
right. Pore Sam is welcome to the fifteen bob--I don't want it."
"You must take it," ses Joe. "The ghost said if you didn't it would come
to me agin and agin till you did, and I can't stand any more of it."
"I can't 'elp your troubles," I ses.
"You must," ses Joe. "'Give Bill the fifteen bob,' it ses, 'and he'll
give you a gold watch and chain wot I gave 'im to mind till it was
paid.'"
I see his little game then. "Gold watch and chain," I ses, laughing.
"You must ha' misunderstood it, Joe."
"I understood it right enough," ses Joe, getting a bit closer to me as I
stepped outside the gate. "Here's your fifteen bob; are you going to
give me that watch and chain?"
"Sartainly not," I ses. "I don't know wot you mean by a watch and chain.
If I 'ad it and I gave it to anybody, I should give it to Sam's widder,
not to you."
"It's nothing to do with 'er," ses Joe, very quick. "Sam was most
pertikler about that."
"I expect you dreamt it all," I ses. "Where would pore Sam get a gold
watch and chain from? And why should 'e go to you about it? Why didn't
'e come to me? If 'e thinks I 'ave got it let 'im come to me."
"All right, I'll go to the police-station," ses Joe.
"I'll come with you," I ses. "But 'ere's a policeman coming along.
Let's go to 'im."
I moved towards 'im, but Joe hung back, and, arter using one or two words
that would ha' made any ghost ashamed to know 'im, he sheered off. I 'ad
a word or two with the policeman about the weather, and then I went
inside and locked the gate.
My idea was that Sam 'ad told Joe about the watch and chain afore he fell
overboard. Joe was a nasty customer, and I could see that I should 'ave
to be a bit careful. Some men might ha' told the police about it--but I
never cared much for them. They're like kids in a way, always asking
questions--most of which you can't answer.
It was a little bit creepy all alone on the wharf that night. I don't
deny it. Twice I thought I 'eard something coming up on tip-toe behind
me. The second time I was so nervous that I began to sing to keep my
spirits up, and I went on singing till three of the hands of the Susan
Emily, wot was lying alongside, came up from the fo'c'sle and offered to
fight me. I was thankful when daylight came.
Five nights arterwards I 'ad the shock of my life. It was the fust night
for some time that there was no craft up. A dark night, and a nasty
moaning sort of a wind. I 'ad just lighted the lamp at the corner of the
warehouse, wot 'ad blown out, and was sitting down to rest afore putting
the ladder away, when I 'appened to look along the jetty and saw a head
coming up over the edge of it. In the light of the lamp I saw the dead
white face of Sam Bullet's ghost making faces at me.
[Illustration: IN THE LIGHT OF THE LAMP I SAW THE DEAD WHITE FACE]
I just caught my breath, sharp like, and then turned and ran for the
gate like a race-horse. I 'ad left the key in the padlock, in case of
anything happening, and I just gave it one turn, flung the wicket open
and slammed it in the ghost's face, and tumbled out into the road.
I ran slap into the arms of a young policeman wot was passing. Nasty,
short-tempered chap he was, but I don't think I was more glad to see
anybody in my life. I hugged 'im till 'e nearly lost 'is breath, and
then he sat me down on the kerb-stone and asked me wot I meant by it.
Wot with the excitement and the running I couldn't speak at fust, and
when I did he said I was trying to deceive 'im.
"There ain't no such thing as ghosts," he ses; "you've been drinking."
"It came up out o' the river and run arter me like the wind," I ses.
"Why didn't it catch you, then?" he ses, looking me up and down and all
round about. "Talk sense."
He went up to the gate and peeped in, and, arter watching a moment,
stepped inside and walked down the wharf, with me follering. It was my
dooty; besides, I didn't like being left all alone by myself.
Twice we walked up and down and all over the wharf. He flashed his
lantern into all the dark corners, into empty barrels and boxes, and then
he turned and flashed it right into my face and shook his 'ead at me.
"You've been having a bit of a lark with me," he ses, "and for two pins
I'd take you. Mind, if you say a word about this to anybody, I will."
He stalked off with his 'ead in the air, and left me all alone in charge
of a wharf with a ghost on it. I stayed outside in the street, of
course, but every now and then I fancied I heard something moving about
the other side of the gate, and once it was so distinct that I run along
to the Bear's Head and knocked 'em up and asked them for a little brandy,
for illness.
I didn't get it, of course; I didn't expect to; but I 'ad a little
conversation with the landlord from 'is bedroom-winder that did me more
good than the brandy would ha' done. Once or twice I thought he would
'ave fallen out, and many a man has 'ad his licence taken away for less
than a quarter of wot 'e said to me that night. Arter he thought he 'ad
finished and was going back to bed agin, I pointed' out to 'im that he
'adn't kissed me "good night," and if it 'adn't ha' been for 'is missis
and two grown-up daughters and the potman I believe he'd ha' talked to me
till daylight.
'Ow I got through the rest of the night I don't know. It seemed to be
twenty nights instead of one, but the day came at last, and when the
hands came on at six o'clock they found the gate open and me on dooty
same as usual.
I slept like a tired child when I got 'ome, and arter a steak and onions
for dinner I sat down and lit my pipe and tried to think wot was to be
done. One thing I was quite certain about: I wasn't going to spend
another night on that wharf alone.
I went out arter a bit, as far as the Clarendon Arms, for a breath of
fresh air, and I 'ad just finished a pint and was wondering whether I
ought to 'ave another, when Ted Dennis came in, and my mind was made up.
He 'ad been in the Army all 'is life, and, so far, he 'ad never seen
anything that 'ad frightened 'im. I've seen him myself take on men twice
'is size just for the love of the thing, and, arter knocking them silly,
stand 'em a pint out of 'is own pocket. When I asked 'im whether he was
afraid of ghosts he laughed so 'ard that the landlord came from the other
end of the bar to see wot was the matter.
I stood Ted a pint, and arter he 'ad finished it I told 'im just how
things was. I didn't say anything about the watch and chain, because
there was no need to, and when we came outside agin I 'ad engaged an
assistant-watchman for ninepence a night.
"All you've got to do," I ses, "is to keep me company. You needn't turn
up till eight o'clock of a night, and you can leave 'arf an hour afore me
in the morning."
"Right-o!" ses Ted. "And if I see the ghost I'll make it wish it 'ad
never been born."
It was a load off my mind, and I went 'ome and ate a tea that made my
missis talk about the work-'ouse, and orstritches in 'uman shape wot would
eat a woman out of 'ouse and 'ome if she would let 'em.
I got to the wharf just as it was striking six, and at a quarter to seven
the wicket was pushed open gentle and the ugly 'ead of Mr. Joe Peel was
shoved inside.
"Hullo!" I ses. "Wot do you want?"
"I want to save your life," he ses, in a solemn voice. "You was within a
inch of death last night, watchman."
"Oh!" I ses, careless-like. "'Ow do you know!"
"The ghost o' Sam Bullet told me," ses Joe. "Arter it 'ad chased you up
the wharf screaming for 'elp, it came round and told me all about it."
"It seems fond of you," I ses. "I wonder why?"
"It was in a terrible temper," ses Joe, "and its face was awful to look
at. 'Tell the watchman,' it ses, 'that if he don't give you the watch
and chain I shall appear to 'im agin and kill 'im.'"
"All right," I ses, looking behind me to where three of the 'ands of the
Daisy was sitting on the fo'c'sle smoking. "I've got plenty of company
to-night."
"Company won't save you," ses Joe. "For the last time, are you going to
give me that watch and chain, or not? Here's your fifteen bob."
"No," I ses; "even if I 'ad got it I shouldn't give it to you; and it's
no use giving' it to the ghost, because, being made of air, he 'asn't got
anywhere to put it."
"Very good," ses Joe, giving me a black look. "I've done all I can to
save you, but if you won't listen to sense, you won't. You'll see Sam
Bullet agin, and you'll not on'y lose the watch and chain but your life
as well."
"All right," I ses, "and thank you kindly, but I've got an assistant, as
it 'appens--a man wot wants to see a ghost."
"An' assistant?" ses Joe, staring.
"An old soldier," I ses. "A man wot likes trouble and danger. His idea
is to shoot the ghost and see wot 'appens."
"Shoot!" ses Joe. "Shoot a pore 'armless ghost. Does he want to be
'ung? Ain't it enough for a pore man to be drownded, but wot you must
try and shoot 'im arterwards? Why, you ought to be ashamed o' yourself.
Where's your 'art?"
"It won't be shot if it don't come on my wharf," I ses. "Though I don't
mind if it does when I've got somebody with me. I ain't afraid of
anything living, and I don't mind ghosts when there's two of us. Besides
which, the noise of the pistol 'll wake up 'arf the river."
"You take care you don't get woke up," ses Joe, 'ardly able to speak for
temper.
He went off stamping, and grinding 'is teeth, and at eight o'clock to the
minute, Ted Dennis turned up with 'is pistol and helped me take care of
the wharf. Happy as a skylark 'e was, and to see him 'iding behind a
barrel with his pistol ready, waiting for the ghost, a'most made me
forget the expense of it all.
It never came near us that night, and Ted was a bit disappointed next
morning as he took 'is ninepence and went off. Next night was the same,
and the next, and then Ted gave up hiding on the wharf for it, and sat
and snoozed in the office instead.
A week went by, and then another, and still there was no sign of Sam
Bullet's ghost, or Joe Peel, and every morning I 'ad to try and work up a
smile as I shelled out ninepence for Ted. It nearly ruined me, and,
worse than that, I couldn't explain why I was short to the missis. Fust
of all she asked me wot I was spending it on, then she asked me who I was
spending it on. It nearly broke up my 'ome--she did smash one kitchen-
chair and a vase off the parlour mantelpiece--but I wouldn't tell 'er,
and then, led away by some men on strike at Smith's wharf, Ted went on
strike for a bob a night.
That was arter he 'ad been with me for three weeks, and when Saturday
came, of course I was more short than ever, and people came and stood at
their doors all the way down our street to listen to the missis taking my
character away.
I stood it as long as I could, and then, when 'er back was turned for
'arf a moment, I slipped out. While she'd been talking I'd been
thinking, and it came to me clear as daylight that there was no need for
me to sacrifice myself any longer looking arter a dead man's watch and
chain.
I didn't know exactly where Joe Peel lived, but I knew the part, and
arter peeping into seven public-'ouses I see the man I wanted sitting by
'imself in a little bar. I walked in quiet-like, and sat down opposite
'im.
"Morning," I ses.
Joe Peel grunted.
"'Ave one with me?" I ses.
He grunted agin, but not quite so fierce, and I fetched the two pints
from the counter and took a seat alongside of 'im.
"I've been looking for you," I ses.
"Oh!" he ses, looking me up and down and all over. "Well, you've found
me now."
"I want to talk to you about the ghost of pore Sam Bullet," I ses.
Joe Peel put 'is mug down sudden and looked at me fierce. "Look 'ere!
Don't you come and try to be funny with me," he ses. "'Cos I won't 'ave
it."
"I don't want to be funny," I ses. "Wot I want to know is, are you in
the same mind about that watch and chain as you was the other day?"
He didn't seem to be able to speak at fust, but arter a time 'e gives a
gasp. "Woes the game?" he ses.
"Wot I want to know is, if I give you that watch and chain for fifteen
bob, will that keep the ghost from 'anging round my wharf agin?" I ses.
"Why, o' course," he ses, staring; "but you ain't been seeing it agin,
'ave you?"
"I've not, and I don't want to," I ses. "If it wants you to 'ave the
watch and chain, give me the fifteen bob, and it's yours."
He looked at me for a moment as if he couldn't believe 'is eyesight, and
then 'e puts his 'and into 'is trowsis-pocket and pulls out one shilling
and fourpence, 'arf a clay-pipe, and a bit o' lead-pencil.
"That's all I've got with me," he ses. "I'll owe you the rest. You
ought to ha' took the fifteen bob when I 'ad it."
There was no 'elp for it, and arter making 'im swear to give me the rest
o' the money when 'e got it, and that I shouldn't see the ghost agin, I
'anded the things over to 'im and came away. He came to the door to see
me off, and if ever a man looked puzzled, 'e did. Pleased at the same
time.
It was a load off of my mind. My con-science told me I'd done right, and
arter sending a little boy with a note to Ted Dennis to tell 'im not to
come any more, I felt 'appier than I 'ad done for a long time. When I
got to the wharf that evening it seemed like a diff'rent place, and I was
whistling and smiling over my work quite in my old way, when the young
policeman passed.
"Hullo !" he ses. "'Ave you seen the ghost agin?"
"I 'ave not," I ses, drawing myself up. "'Ave you?"
"No," he ses.
"We missed it."
"Missed it?" I ses, staring at 'im.
"Yes," he ses, nodding. "The day arter you came out screaming, and
cuddling me like a frightened baby, it shipped as A.B. on the barque
Ocean King, for Valparaiso. We missed it by a few hours. Next time you
see a ghost, knock it down fust and go and cuddle the police arterwards."
BEDRIDDEN
July 12, 1915.--Disquieting rumours to the effect that epidemic of
Billetitis hitherto confined to the north of King's Road shows signs of
spreading.
July 14.--Report that two Inns of Court men have been seen peeping over
my gate.
July 16.--Informed that soldier of agreeable appearance and charming
manners requests interview with me. Took a dose of Phospherine and went.
Found composite photograph of French, Joffre, and Hindenburg waiting for
me in the hall. Smiled (he did, I mean) and gave me the mutilated form
of salute reserved for civilians. Introduced himself as Quartermaster-
Sergeant Beddem, and stated that the Inns of Court O.T.C. was going
under canvas next week. After which he gulped. Meantime could I take in
a billet. Questioned as to what day the corps was going into camp said
that he believed it was Monday, but was not quite sure--might possibly be
Tuesday. Swallowed again and coughed a little. Accepted billet and felt
completely re-warded by smile. Q.M.S. bade me good-bye, and then with
the air of a man suddenly remembering something, asked me whether I could
take two. Excused myself and interviewed my C.O. behind the dining-room
door. Came back and accepted. Q.M.S. so overjoyed (apparently) that he
fell over the scraper. Seemed to jog his memory. He paused, and gazing
in absent fashion at the topmost rose on the climber in the porch, asked
whether I could take three! Added hopefully that the third was only a
boy. Excused myself. Heated debate with C.O. Subject: sheets.
Returned with me to explain to the Q.M.S. He smiled. C.O. accepted at
once, and, returning smile, expressed regret at size and position of
bedrooms available. Q.M.S. went off swinging cane jauntily.
July 17.--Billets arrived. Spoke to them about next Monday and canvas.
They seemed surprised. Strange how the military authorities decline to
take men into their confidence merely because they are privates. Let
them upstairs. They went (for first and last time) on tiptoe.
July 18.--Saw Q.M.S. Beddem in the town. Took shelter in the King's
Arms.
Jug. 3.--Went to Cornwall.
Aug. 31.--Returned. Billets received me very hospitably.
Sept. 4.--Private Budd, electrical engineer, dissatisfied with
appearance of bell-push in dining-room, altered it.
Sept. 5.--Bells out of order.
Sept. 6.--Private Merited, also an electrical engineer, helped Private
Budd to repair bells.
Sept. 7.--Private Budd helped Private Merited to repair bells.
Sept. 8.--Privates Budd and Merited helped each other to repair bells.
Sept. 9.--Sent to local tradesman to put my bells in order.
Sept. 15.--Told that Q.M.S. Beddem wished to see me. Saw C.O. first.
She thought he had possibly come to take some of the billets away.
Q.M.S. met my approach with a smile that re-minded me vaguely of picture-
postcards I had seen. Awfully sorry to trouble me, but Private Montease,
just back from three weeks' holiday with bronchitis, was sleeping in the
wood-shed on three planks and a tin-tack. Beamed at me and waited. Went
and bought another bed-stead.
Sept. 16.--Private Montease and a cough entered into residence.
Sept. 17, 11.45 p.m.--Maid came to bedroom-door with some cough lozenges
which she asked me to take to the new billet. Took them. Private
Montease thanked me, but said he didn't mind coughing. Said it was an
heirloom; Montease cough, known in highest circles all over Scotland
since time of Young Pretender.
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