"They was give me," said Mr. Beale, re-knotting his handkerchief, "by a lady in the country."
He fixed his eyes on the soft blue of the darkening sky.
"Try another," said Dickie calmly.
"Ah! it ain't no use trying to deceive the nipper—that sharp he is," said Beale, with a mixture of pride and confusion. "Well, then, not to deceive you, mate, I bought 'em."
"What with?" said Dickie, lightning quick.
"With—with money, mate—with money, of course."
"How'd you get it?"
No answer.
"You didn't pinch it?"
"No—on my sacred sam, I didn't," said Beale eagerly; "pinching leads to trouble. I've 'ad my lesson."