“You don’t know what work is. Come along wi’ me, and I’ll show yer.”
“I don’t want to have any conversation with you,” cried the draper.
“Shut up, then,” said the navigator. “Go back to your flarey shop, and let the woman go about her business.”
“I have no answer to make to this man,” said the other, addressing himself to the crowd.
By this time one of the rural police had succeeded in squeezing his way through the crowd of persons.
The circumstances were explained to him, and the stolen articles displayed. He endeavoured to look as wise as he could, reflected for a few moments, and then said, interrogatively—
“Do you charge her?”
“Of course I do—charge her with robbery, with shoplifting.”
“She couldn’t lift your shop, old man, if she tried ever so,” said the navigator, “so don’t tell no lies.”
At this there was a roar of laughter from the crowd.