Miriam started, and, seizing the boy by the arm, looked at him searchingly.
"Does the old gentleman——?" but Shorty interrupted her with a grin.
"Yes, that's it. Ho, 'e's a bad 'un, 'e is. As wicked a ole cuss as ever wos. 'Satan,' Mother Mandarin calls 'im, an' Satan 'e is."
"Does he often go to Mother Mandarin?"
"'E goes there a lot, 'e does. But look 'ere," continued Shorty crossly, "I can't staiy torkin' 'ere all night, I'm orf to git grub. 'Twas Jabez sent me 'ere, it wos."
"What does Jabez want?" Miriam had a premonition of ill.
"T' see y' an' 'ave a jaw, didn't I te' y' so?"
"I can't see him. I daren't leave here, Shorty."
"There ain't no ned. Jabez is a-comin' 'ere."
"Shorty!" Miriam seized hold of the boy again, and looked at him. He glanced at her and wriggled free with a yelp.