"'Ome, Sweet 'Ome!" murmured somebody in tones of fond reminiscence.
"Yes, do now. You don't really want it, you know you don't," urged the lady in her turn.
"Whether I want it or not——"
At the sound of this last voice Arthur started into quick attention and came to a halt. He recognised the full tones, now somewhat thickened, with their faint but unmistakable suggestion of the Cockney twang.
"Whether I want it or not——" The man spoke slowly, with an effort after distinctness which was obvious but not unsuccessful—"I've a right to have it. He's bound to serve the public. I'm—I'm member of the public."
"'Ad enough for two members, I should sye," came in comment from the fringe of the group.
"That's it! Go 'ome now," the policeman suggested again, infinitely patient and persuasive.
The man made a sudden move towards the door of the public-house where an official, vulgarly known as the 'chucker out,' stood smiling on the threshold.
"No, sir, you don't!" said the policeman, suave but immensely firm, laying a hand on his arm.
"The officer's quite right. Do come along," again urged the lady.