Part 22 (1/2)

”Mr Cosson, please put uard asked

”I can't make the task here I'll make it on another machine, please, Mr Cosson”

”Why can't yousocks”

”Ho, ho, playing the old gaain, eh?”

”I couldn't stand the hole again, Mr Cosson, swear to God, I couldn't

Buthell! Who's stealing your socks, eh? Don't come with no such bluff nobody can't steal your socks while I'o to work now, and you'd better make the task, understand?”

Late in the afternoon, when the count was taken, Johnny proved eighteen pairs short Bradford was ”over”

I saw Mr Cosson approach Johnny

”Eh, thirty, machine thirty,” he shouted ”You won't make the task, eh?

Put your coat and cap on”

Fatal words! They meant immediate report to the Deputy, and the inevitable sentence to the dungeon

”Oh, Mr Cosson,” the youth pleaded, ”it ain't my fault, so help me God, it isn't”

”It ain't, eh? Whose fault is it; round, then wandered toward Bradford, who studiously avoided the look

”I can't squeal,” he said, quietly

”Oh, hell! You ain't got nothin' to squeal Get your coat and cap”

Johnny passed the night in the dungeon Thishe came up, his cheeks y he worked He toiled steadily, furiously, his gaze fastened upon the growing pile of hosiery Occasionally he shot a glance at Bradford, who, confident of the officer's favor,of the left eye

Once Johnny, without pausing in the work, slightly turned his head in ly, and at that same instant I saw Jack's hand slip across the table and quickly snatch a handful of Johnny's stockings The nextshriek threw the shop into commotion With difficulty they tore away the infuriated boy from the prostrate Bradford Both prisoners were taken to the Deputy for trial, with Senior Officer Cosson as the sole witness

Ih the openI saw the overseer return He entered the shop, a smile about the corners of his mouth I resolved to speak to him when he passed by

”Mr Cosson,” I said, with simulated respectfulness, ”may I ask you a question?”

”Why, certainly, Burk, I won't eat you Fire away!”

”What have they done with the boys?”