“In oil?” asked Groove.
“In oil? no, in verse, here;” and he took out a paper.
“Then hadn't we better cut? you might propose reading them,” said poor old Groove.
“Have you any oysters?” inquired Jones of the Carnie and the Johnstone, who were now alongside.
“Plenty,” answered Jean. “Hae ye ony siller?”
The artists looked at one another, and didn't all speak at once.
“I, madam,” said old Groove, insinuatingly, to Christie, “am a friend of Mr. Gatty's; perhaps, on that account, you would lend me an oyster or two.”
“Na,” said Jean, sternly.
“Hyacinth,” said Jones, sarcastically, “give them your verses, perhaps that will soften them.”
Hyacinth gave his verses, descriptive of herself, to Christie. This youngster was one of those who mind other people's business.