Mr. Stopper did not heed the action at first. He was regarding Thomas rather curiously. Thomas perceived it.
"Yes," Thomas said, "I am a sailor. It's an honest way of living, and I like it."
"But you'll come back now, won't you?"
"That depends," answered Thomas. "Would you take me, now, Mr. Stopper?" he added, with a feeble experimental smile. "But there's the money. Do take it out of my hands."
"It lies with your father now, Mr. Thomas. Have you been to Highbury? Of course, I took care not to let him know."
"Thank you heartily. I'm just going there. Do take the horrid money, and let me feel as if I weren't a thief after all."
"As for the money, eleven pound, odd," said Mr. Stopper, without looking at it, "that's neither here nor there. It was a burglary, there can be no doubt, under the circumstances. But I owe you a quarter's salary, though I should not be bound to pay it, seeing you left as you did. Still, I want to be friendly, and you worked very fairly for it. I will hand you over the difference."
"No, never mind that, I don't care about the money. It was all that damned play," said Thomas.
"Don't swear, Mr. Thomas," returned Stopper, taking out the check-book, and proceeding to write a check for thirteen pounds six shillings and fourpence.