“Well, then, I will: here is pen, ink, and paper. Well, you are the very image of Peter, and that’s a fact. Now write down beer, 8 pence; tobacco, 4 pence; is that down?”
“Yes.”
“Let me see: duck for trousers, 3 shillings, 6 pence; beer again, 4 pence; tobacco, 4 pence; is that down? Well, then, say beer again, 8 pence. Now sum that all up.”
Joey was perfect master of the task, and, as he handed over the paper, announced the whole sum to amount to 5 shillings, 10 pence.
“Well,” says Mrs Chopper, “it looks all right; but just stay here a minute while I go and speak to somebody.” Mrs Chopper left the room, went downstairs, and took it to the bar-girl at the next public-house to ascertain if it was all correct.
“Yes, quite correct, Mrs Chopper,” replied the lass.
“And is it as good as Peter’s was, poor fellow?”
“Much better,” replied the girl.
“Dear me! Who would have thought it? and so like Peter too!”
Mrs Chopper came upstairs again, and took her seat—“Well,” said she, “and now what is your name?”