"Yes, sir, I—I am coming. God protect me!"
"The barber at home?" cried a voice at the door; and in another moment a man with a ruddy, jolly-looking countenance, made his appearance in the shop. "Barber at home, eh? my little lad?"
"Yes—yes."
Johanna heard a bitter execration come from the lips of Todd; and then with quite a serene smile upon his face, as though he were in the most unruffled mood possible, he made his appearance.
"Could you make me a wig?" said the man, taking off his hat, and showing that his hair was closely cropped.
"Certainly, sir. If you will sit down and allow me to measure your head, I shall have great pleasure—Charley!"
"Yes, Sir."
"You can go to Lovett's, in Bell-yard, and get your dinner now. There's two-pence for you, my lad, and if you have not yet tasted Mrs. Lovett's pies, you will say when you do, that they are the most delicious things in the whole world of cookery."
"Shaved, if you please," said another man, walking into the shop, and pouncing down upon a chair as though it were his own property. "Ah dear me, I'm tired rather. Don't hurry yourself, Mr. Todd, I can wait while you are doing what you have to do for that gentleman."
"Charley," said Todd, with quite a sweet expression of face. "You need not go just yet; I want the hot water. See to it."