Part 18 (2/2)
I've 'ad a bit of Luck.”
He wouldn't tell them all at once. He staggered with the portmanteau round the corner of the counter, set a bundle of children's tin pails into clattering oscillation, and entered the little room. He deposited his luggage in the corner beside the tall clock, and turned to his Aunt and Uncle again. His Aunt regarded him doubtfully, the yellow light from the little lamp on the table escaped above the shade and lit her forehead and the tip of her nose. It would be all right in a minute. He wouldn't tell them all at once. Old Kipps stood in the shop door with the banjo in his hand, breathing noisily. ”The fact is, Aunt, I've 'ad a bit of Luck.”
”You ain't been backin' gordless 'orses, Artie?” she asked.
”No fear.”
”It's a draw he's been in,” said Old Kipps, still panting from the impact of the portmanteau; ”it's a dratted draw. Jest look here, Molly.
He's won this 'ere trashy banjer and thrown up his situation on the strength of it--that's what he's done. Goin' about singing. Dash and plunge! Jest the very fault poor Pheamy always 'ad. Blunder right in and no one mustn't stop 'er!”
”You ain't thrown up your place, Artie, 'ave you?” said Mrs. Kipps.
Kipps perceived his opportunity. ”I 'ave,” he said; ”I've throwed it up.”
”What for?” said Old Kipps.
”So's to learn the banjo!”
”Goo _Lord_!” said Old Kipps, in horror to find himself verified.
”I'm going about playing!” said Kipps with a giggle. ”Goin' to black my face, Aunt, and sing on the beach. I'm going to 'ave a most tremenjous lark and earn any amount of money--you see. Twenty-six fousand pounds I'm going to earn just as easy as nothing!”
”Kipps,” said Mrs. Kipps, ”he's been drinking!”
They regarded their nephew across the supper table with long faces.
Kipps exploded with laughter and broke out again when his Aunt shook her head very sadly at him. Then suddenly he fell grave. He felt he could keep it up no longer. ”It's all right, Aunt. Reely. I ain't mad and I ain't been drinking. I been lef' money. I been left twenty-six fousand pounds.”
Pause.
”And you thrown up your place?” said Old Kipps.
”Yes,” said Kipps. ”Rather!”
”And bort this banjer, put on your best noo trousers and come right on 'ere?”
”Well,” said Mrs. Kipps, ”_I_ never did.”
”These ain't my noo trousers, Aunt,” said Kipps regretfully. ”My noo trousers wasn't done.”
”I shouldn't ha' thought that _even you_ could ha' been such a fool as that,” said Old Kipps.
Pause.
”It's _all_ right,” said Kipps a little disconcerted by their distrustful solemnity. ”It's all right--reely! Twenny-six fousan'
pounds. And a 'ouse----”
Old Kipps pursed his lips and shook his head.
”A 'ouse on the Leas. I could have gone there. Only I didn't. I didn't care to. I didn't know what to say. I wanted to come and tell you.”
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