“Thanks, very much,” said Alfred amicably, running off to the chemist’s shop, which was quite near.
Mr. Cottenham was a very big man, with a very big moustache and a very big voice; but withal a very jolly man and very popular with everybody. He was standing in his shop, whistling a merry tune and talking to his gray parrot, when Alfred came in. He knew Mr. Cottenham by sight, as he was often in the cathedral, being very fond of music. As he walked into the shop, the parrot gave a whistle and a scream, and said: “Shop! you’re wanted!”
Alfred looked at the parrot and laughed.
“Do you want a pill?” said the bird, and then it whistled again, and sighed in a very natural manner. “Come, Joe, hurry up!” continued the parrot.
“All right, Poll!” said Mr. Cottenham, “I will. You are one of the choir-boys, aren’t you?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Alfred, “Will you kindly let me have these things? The strap-oil is for myself, for the trouble of bringing the note.”
“Let me see. What is to-day?”
“The first of April, sir.”
“So I should imagine. I often get orders like yours on this day.”
Mr. Cottenham enjoyed a joke as much as anyone, and nothing pleased him more than to turn a joke against those who tried to victimize others. He gave Alfred some nice jujubes, saying that that was the best form of strap-oil for taking. Then he got a small bottle, and put something into it which smelt like very strong onions, and to this he added some liquid like water, also with a very strong odour. Then all the liquid became milky.