Suddenly William turned very pale. He was seized with a fit of coughing, and this great strong man leaned over the counter very weak indeed. Esther led him into the parlour, leaving Charles to attend to the customers. His hand trembled like a leaf, and she sat by his side holding it. Mr. Blamy came in to ask if he should lay one of the young gentlemen from the tutor's thirty shillings to ten against the favourite. Esther said that William could attend to no more customers that day. Mr. Blamy returned ten minutes after to say that there was quite a number of people in the bar; should he refuse to take their money?
"Do you know them all?" said William.
"I think so, guv'nor."
"Be careful to bet with no one you don't know; but I'm so bad I can hardly speak."
"Much better send them away," said Esther.
"Then they'll go somewhere else."
"It won't matter; they'll come back to where they're sure of their money."
"I'm not so sure of that," William answered, feebly. "I think it will be all right, Teddy; you'll be very careful."
"Yes, guv'nor, I'll keep down the price."