He was delighted with the prospect which opened before him.
That night he enjoyed the luxury of a clean, comfortable bed, such as he had not known for a long time—certainly not since he had left Stoke Ferry Farm.
The next morning he had a good breakfast in the kitchen in company with Susan, the housemaid.
When he had partaken of his morning’s meal he was told that his mistress wanted him.
She was at breakfast. On the sideboard was a glass vase with a dozen gold and silver fish in it.
“Now, Alf,” said the lady, “look at these. Do you know anything about them?”
“Oh, dear, yes! I know a good deal about them.”
“You do?”
“Yes, I know everything about the street trade in live-stock, and about almost every other kind of street trade, for when I could afford it I used to go to a sixpenny lodging-house, or else had fourpennyworth at the Drury Chambers.”
“What has that to do with it?”