That was not the end of the matter, however.
A few days later Joe Burt and Bobby had paused for a word at the Star corner when Mr. Spink and Alf Caspar came down Church Street together.
"Birds of a feather," said Alf loudly, nudging his companion, just as they passed the standing couple.
"That's not very courteous, Caspar," called Bobby quietly after him.
Mr. Spink walked on with a smirk; but Alf came back with hardly dissimulated truculence.
"Sorry you've been spreading this about me, Mr. Chislehurst," he said, his sour eyes blinking.
"What?" asked the Cherub, astonished.
"Dirt," Alf retorted. "And I know where you got it from too."
"I haven't," cried Bobby with boyish indignation. "What d'you mean?"
"I know you have though," retorted Alf. "So it's no good denying it." He was about to move on with a sneer when Joe Burt struck in.