“That mealy-mouthed sneaking chap. You know who I mean well enough.”
“No, he has not, or at any rate if he has I have not seen him.”
“Ugh! not seen him, indeed. I don’t believe it. It’s a lie.”
“You can say what you like, and believe what you like, for the matter of that.”
“Don’t you give me any of your cheek, my lady. I aint a going to stand it. Do you hear?”
“Yes.”
“Very well, mind what you are about. I’m not a fool. I know all about your little capers. I say he has been here.”
“If he has it was without my knowledge.”
“Silence. Don’t contradict me; I won’t stand it!” exclaimed the ruffian, bringing his fist down upon the table with violence. “You’re not going to gammon me, mind you that.”
He rose to his feet and moved towards the fireplace. After looking on the mantel-piece he went to a chest of drawers which stood at the further end of the room. He opened one drawer after the other, and in one of the small top ones he discovered a paper packet which contained a few shillings in silver.