W. Pett Ridge

“ Once in the roadway, the horses recommenced their dispute, and it required all the arguments of the sergeant seated by the side of the driver, and all the forcible threats of the driver himself, to again induce them to postpone settlement of their difference in opinion. The small crowd cheered, and Finnis wondered what the men and women boxed inside the vans in their separate compartments thought of it all; wondered, too, being, as a happy fact, ignorant of its solid construction, why Alfred did not force his way through the side and make his escape. ”

“ Alfred was known only to men in his own shop, and not known by them, with the single exception of Finnis, in any close degree, but now that he had become famous, every man affected to have known him intimately ”

“ Matrons, their dresses partially fastened, stood at front doors conversing with ladies whose heads were out of first-floor windows, or with ladies at front doors opposite; small children, taking advantage of the preoccupation of mothers, sprawled about in the roadway, contesting ardently for the possession of one or two pools of muddy water. Mr. Finnis's arrival at the door of No. 18 stopped the chatter; the matrons looked at him with some reproach and astonishment. The door opened cautiously. William Finnis recognised the lady who performed this service as Miss Ladd. ”