"Hark ye, my lad," he said: "can you and I speak to the point, and without beating about the bush?"
"I think we can, sir," replied Dan, smiling; the Old Sailor's voice always did him good.
"Frankly, then," said the Old Sailor, "do you find it a hard matter to live?"
"Very hard, sir."
"No money in the house, eh?"
"None, sir."
"And business falling off?"
"Fallen off would be more correct, sir. My earnings for the last month not more than ten shillings."
"And Mr. Marvel?"
"About a day's work in the week, sir."