W. Pett Ridge

“ As I was about to remark, you've got no one to share it with, and therefore you naturally say to yourself, you say: "Well, I shan't want so much for this little lot as I should otherwise 'ave."'
'Oh,' said Alfred ironically, 'that's what I say, is it? First I've heard of it.'
'And, moreover, you say to yourself—and mind ye, I don't say you're wrong: "It's one thing to go and do a big snatch; it's another thing to go and get rid of 'em. ”

“ It shows a grasping nature that'll stand in your way if you ain't careful. Throw the set of furs in and I'll spring another sov'rin, if it's the last one I've got.'
'Look 'ere,' said Alfred menacingly, 'I may just as well talk plain as not. I want 'undreds for this lot and 'undreds I'm goin' to 'ave.'
'’Undreds?' echoed the old lady feebly.
'’Undreds,' he repeated, slapping the chest of drawers so that it rocked and staggered. 'This isn't one of your footling little jobs; this is great, this is, and I know it. You ain't dealin' with a fool, Mother Fayres. ”

“ All depends.'
'Now you're 'ere,' said Finnis, 'give us a bit of your 'elp. I've got more work than I know what to do with.'
'What!' expostulated Alfred, 'with my bad leg?'
'No,' replied the other, 'with your two hands. Off with your coat and set to.'
Thus the afternoon was spent. Outside the rain had commenced and customers were few. Miss Ladd looked in now and again from her duties—once to bring post letters; one was from South America. Alfred's uncle wrote asking him to come out if he were without encumbrance; the other was from Caroline. ”

“ The small girl, on the door being opened, complained bitterly of having been kept waiting, and suggested that people who could not answer promptly to knocks had better fetch their eleven-o'clock stout-and-mild themselves. ”

“ It was necessary, therefore, that he should go back to Lewisham; perhaps it would be as well to remain there until dusk. The young carman would shortly be thrown out of the house in Mill Lane, and Alfred hoped he would be too much ashamed of himself to go to town. In that case there was hope.
A constable followed him up the steps of the Lewisham tram to take a free ride, and sat behind him. He touched Alfred on the shoulder. ”

“ I can be as nasty when I'm roused as most ladies. One word of advice I'd like to give you, my son, and that is: Look out what you're up to.'
'I can get a Rotberhitbe train from Lower Road, can't I?' he asked over his shoulder at the doorway. ”

“ Five 'undred pounds, or at the least four, is what this lot's going to fetch, and if you can't run to it, why, someone else will. Let me see. He's moved from Mill Lane to Rotherhithe, isn't he?'
'If you go to that low 'ound, I'll never forgive you.'
'I shall go jest where I like,' he said, nodding his head determinedly. ”