‘Now, don’t be angry,’ he said, with a good-natured smile, ‘now I’ve come. I wants to do yer a good turn. That old tramp will be cotched to-morrow as sure as eggs is eggs, and I thought I’d better tell ye to keep out of the way.’
‘Out of the way; wot do you mean? Do you think I’ve been up to anything?’
‘No, of course not,’ said the chum in a mocking tone; ‘but appearances ain’t promising, and that is all I’ve got to say. You’d better work yer way along with me to-night.’
‘Where to?’
‘Down Drury Lane way; it ain’t safe to be in the Boro’.’
‘But lor, bless me, how you’ve altered!’ said Sal. ‘You had a couple of arms; wot have you done with one?’
‘Oh, it is buttoned down by my side.’
‘And your boots, where are they?’
‘Hid away in my clothes. Ain’t it a capital dodge? I gets lots of coppers when I thus go out cadging. I was goin’ to perform on the bridge, when I saw you walk past, and then I followed. I ain’t made much money to-night. Perhaps we’d better go home.’
‘You’re very kind, but I think I shall stop here.’