"Last New Year there was some blokes come along an' give us a nickel apiece all round. I was on the end an' got two. When they went away one of 'em said they was comin' back to-night to give us a dollar apiece."
"They won't come," said Perner.
"We're the men."
"Aw, what yeh givin' us?"
"Facts. We've started a paper since then."
A party of roisterers came shouting across the street.
"Come and have a drink," they called. "Come on, you fellows, and have a drink with us!"
A number of men left their places in the line and went. Perner watched one of them intently.
"If that fellow isn't Bates you can drink my coffee," he said, pointing.