“I’ll end it, mum,” said Sam.
And he gave a sharp whistle, with the result that the door was opened so violently that Mrs Sturt was jerked forward against Sam, the cause being a policeman, who now stood in the entry, with the further effect that Barney leaped off the trunk, and stood looking aghast.
Mrs Jenkles gave a sigh of relief, and a gratified look at her husband.
“Here’s the case, policeman,” said Sam. “Ladies here wants to leave these lodgings: they’ve given notice and paid their rent; but the missus here brings out a bill for things as the lady says she’s never had, and wants to stop their boxes. It’s county court, aint it? They can’t stop the clothes?”
“Nobody wants to stop no boxes,” said Barney, uneasily. “Only it was precious shabby on ’em going like this.”
“Then you don’t want to stop the boxes, eh?” said Sam.
Mrs Sturt gave her husband a sharp dig with her elbow.
“Be quiet, can’t you!” he snarled; and then to Sam, “’course I don’t.”
“Then ketch hold o’ t’other end,” said Sam, placing the bag on the trunk.
And like a lamb Barney helped to bear his late lodger’s impedimenta downstairs, and then to place them on the cab, as Mrs Jenkles led Netta half fainting from the room.