Part 9 (2/2)
”When a handsome young man and a good-looking girl----”
”Do you want to buy anything or not?” demanded Miss Kybird, with an impatient toss of her head.
”No,” said Jack, ”I want to sell.”
”You've come to the wrong shop, then,” said Miss Kybird; ”the warehouse is full of rubbish now.”
The other turned in his chair and looked hard at the window. ”So it is,” he a.s.sented. ”It's a good job I've brought you something decent to put there.”
He felt in his pockets and, producing a silver-mounted briar-pipe, a battered watch, a knife, and a few other small articles, deposited them with reverent care upon the counter.
”No use to us,” declared Miss Kybird, anxious to hit back; ”we burn coal here.”
”These'll burn better than the coal you buy,” said the unmoved customer.
”Well, we don't want them,” retorted Miss Kybird, raising her voice, ”and I don't want any of your impudence. Get up out of our chair.”
Her heightened tones penetrated to the small and untidy room behind the shop. The door opened, and Mr. Kybird in his s.h.i.+rt-sleeves appeared at the opening.
”Wot's the row?” he demanded, his little black eyes glancing from one to the other.
”Only a lovers' quarrel,” replied Jack. ”You go away; we don't want you.”
”Look 'ere, we don't want none o' your nonsense,” said the shopkeeper, sharply; ”and, wot's more, we won't 'ave it. Who put that rubbish on my counter?”
He bustled forward, and taking the articles in his hands examined them closely.
”Three s.h.i.+llings for the lot--cash,” he remarked. ”Done,” said the other.
”Did I say three?” inquired Mr. Kybird, startled at this ready acceptance.
”Five you said,” replied Mr. Nugent, ”but I'll take three, if you throw in a smile.”
Mr. Kybird, much against his inclinations, threw in a faint grin, and opening a drawer produced three s.h.i.+llings and flung them separately on the counter. Miss Kybird thawed somewhat, and glancing from the customer's clothes to his face saw that he had a pleasant eye and a good moustache, together with a general air of recklessness much appreciated by the s.e.x.
”Don't spend it on drink,” she remarked, not unkindly.
”I won't,” said the other, solemnly; ”I'm going to buy house property with it.”
”Why, darn my eyes,” said Mr. Kybird, who had been regarding him closely; ”darn my old eyes, if it ain't young Nugent. Well, well!”
”That's me,” said young Nugent, cheerfully; ”I should have known you anywhere, Kybird: same old face, same old voice, same old s.h.i.+rt-sleeves.”
”'Ere, come now,” objected the shopkeeper, shortening his arm and squinting along it.
”I should have known you anywhere,” continued the other, mournfully; ”and here I've thrown up a splendid berth and come all the way from Australia just for one glimpse of Miss Kybird, and she doesn't know me. When I die, Kybird, you will find the word 'Calais' engraven upon my heart.”
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