'What a shame! Did they keep that man?'
'Yes. They kept us both. He kept swearing I'd an old grudge against him, and that he'd done nothing at all. The blackguard had the impudence to charge me with assault; so I charged him too. Then that constable said he'd had us both in charge before for drunk and disorderly. Altogether, it wasn't a bad lying-match.'
'Why do you run the chance of getting into such rows?'
'Well, I like that, Totty! Was I to let him insult you and just stand by?'
'Oh, I don't mean that. But it wouldn't have happened at all but for you going on drinking—you know that very well, Mr. Ackroyd.'
'I suppose it wouldn't. It doesn't matter. I just wanted to see you'd got home all right. Good-night!'
'Good-night! Mind you get home safe, that's all.'
She turned away. He turned away. But he was back before she had crossed the street.
'I say, Totty!'
'What is it?'