“‘Oh, he’s just gone to Mother Linstead’s for some tea and sugar; here he comes.’
“‘Joe, I’ve a job for you. How much do you charge for screeving a “brake?”’
“‘Oh, half a bull (half-a-crown).’
“‘No, I’ll give you a deuce o’ deeners (two shillings), co’s don’t ye see the poor b— is in “stir” (prison).’
“‘Well, well, I shan’t stand for a tanner. Have you got paper?’
“‘Yes, and a Queen’s head, and all.’
“The pen and ink were found, a corner of the table cleared, and operations commenced.
“‘He writes a good hand,’ exclaimed one, as the screever wrote the petition.
“‘I wish I could do it,’ said another.
“‘If you could, you’d soon be transported,’ said a third; while the whole kitchen in one chorus, immediately on its completion, proclaimed, that it was d—d well done, adding to that, not one ‘swell’ in a score would view it in any other light than a ‘ream’ (genuine) concern.