“Aye, yo’n sarved it,” assented Jack. “Just step this way, will yo’, while aw run mi e’en ovver it,” and so saying, Jack led the way into the boiler-house.
Then Jack deliberately locked the door.
“What does this mean?” asked the clerk.
“It just meeans this. Yo’ look as if a square meeal ’ud do yo’ all th’ gooid i’th’ warld, an’ aw reckon yo’ve got to eit this bit o’ papper afore yo’ cum aat.”
Jack flung it at him and sat quietly down.
“Yo’ may ta’ yo’r time, aw’m no ways pressed mi sen. If yo’ feel it a bit dry aw’ll find yo’ a can o’ watter to wesh it dahn wi’; but eit it yo’ do afore yo’ see dayleet agen.”
“But, Mr. Pinder!”
“Mr. Pinder, indeed yo’ gorm fooil. A’m nooan Mr. Pinder. Mr. Pinder’s a gentleman. Aw’m nobbut his man. Nah, ger agate: Sooiner yo’r’ at it, an’ sooiner yo’ll ha’ done.”
And in the boiler-house Tom found the custodian of Co-op Mill and his prisoner. To Jack’s indignation Tom quietly pocketed the petition and released the clerk with an apology and a solatium.
CHAPTER XII