“Now, don’t go addin’ up milestones,” said Uncle Tom. “I’m an optimis’, I am. There’s a good few tides come in since that little lark, but I don’t feel no older.”
“You would if you lived i’ Plaizow,” said Mr. Allen.
“No, I shouldn’t,” said his host. “ ’Cause I should blow down to jolly ole Suet a bit more often—an’ ’ave one with me ole pals.”
He laughed jovially.
“Yes, you would,” said Mr. Allen. “The iron o’ the city would enter in-in-injerso.”
He looked round defiantly.
“I don’t know about the iron,” said Uncle Tom hilariously, “but I’ld see the Scotch didn’t. I bet that’ld go the right way.”
“Trust you,” said Aunt Harriet.
“Yes, an’ touch the spot, too,” added Uncle Tom, shaken with merriment.
“Oh, did you ever?” said Mrs. Allen, deliciously shocked.