'Yes, for a bit at all events.'
'Why don't you start a shop of your own, Mr. Bunce?' she next inquired, as if a happy idea had struck her.
'I shouldn't mind doing that,' he answered, with a hard laugh. 'But shops can't be had for the wishing.'
'You don't need a big one. Now like that shop in Duke Street, you know. What's the rent of a place like that?'
'I'm sure I don't know. I suppose it goes with the house.'
'Then what's the rent of the house likely to be? You could let all you didn't want, you know, and that 'ud almost pay the rent, I should think.'
He laughed again.
'What's the good of talking about it? Why there's a little locksmith's and ironmonger's shop to let in that street just off the far end of Lambeth Walk. They're selling off now; I'm going to buy a few things to-morrow. But what's the good of thinking about it?'
'I don't know. What's the rent?'
'Not more than forty pounds, house and all, I dare say. A mate of mine was talking about it. He said he wished he'd a couple of hundred pounds to take it and start. The man's dead, and his wife wanted to sell the business, but she can't get an offer.'