Part 20 (1/2)

'Is them the things wot's 'angin' up in the shop-winder?'

'Yes!' said Cra.s.s, contemptuously. 'But 'e's no good on plain work. Of course 'e does a bit of grainin' an' writin'--after a fas.h.i.+on--when there's any to do, and that ain't often, but on plain work, why, Sawkins is as good as 'im for most of it, any day!'

'Yes, I suppose 'e is,' replied Easton, feeling rather ashamed of himself for the part he was taking in this conversation.

Although he had for the moment forgotten the existence of Bert, Cra.s.s had instinctively lowered his voice, but the boy--who had left off working to warm his hands by putting them into his trousers pockets--managed, by listening attentively, to hear every word.

'You know there's plenty of people wouldn't give the firm no more work if they knowed about it,' Cra.s.s continued. 'Just fancy sendin' a b--r like that to work in a lady's or gentleman's 'ouse--a b.l.o.o.d.y Atheist!'

'Yes, it is a bit orf, when you look at it like that.'

'I know my missis--for one--wouldn't 'ave a feller like that in our place. We 'ad a lodger once and she found out that 'e was a freethinker or something, and she cleared 'im out, b.l.o.o.d.y quick, I can tell yer!'

'Oh, by the way,' said Easton, glad of an opportunity to change the subject, 'you don't happen to know of anyone as wants a room, do you?

We've got one more than we want, so the wife thought that we might as well let it.'

Cra.s.s thought for a moment. 'Can't say as I do,' he answered, doubtfully. 'Slyme was talking last week about leaving the place 'e's lodging at, but I don't know whether 'e's got another place to go to.

You might ask him. I don't know of anyone else.'

'I'll speak to 'im,' replied Easton. 'What's the time? it must be nearly on it.'

'So it is: just on eight,' exclaimed Cra.s.s, and drawing his whistle he blew a shrill blast upon it to apprise the others of the fact.

'Has anyone seen old Jack Linden since 'e got the push?' inquired Harlow during breakfast.

'I seen 'im Saterdy,' said Slyme.

'Is 'e doin' anything?'

'I don't know: I didn't 'ave time to speak to 'im.'

'No, 'e ain't got nothing,' remarked Philpot. 'I seen 'im Saterdy night, an' 'e told me 'e's been walkin' about ever since.'

Philpot did not add that he had 'lent' Linden a s.h.i.+lling, which he never expected to see again.

''E won't be able to get a job again in a 'urry,' remarked Easton.

''E's too old.'

'You know, after all, you can't blame Misery for sackin' 'im,' said Cra.s.s after a pause. ''E was too slow for a funeral.'

'I wonder how much YOU'LL be able to do when you're as old as he is?'

said Owen.

'P'raps I won't want to do nothing,' replied Cra.s.s with a feeble laugh.

'I'm goin' to live on me means.'

'I should say the best thing old Jack could do would be to go in the union,' said Harlow.

'Yes: I reckon that's what'll be the end of it,' said Easton in a matter-of-fact tone.