“Father’s seventy-one, sir, and I’m the same. Born within two months of each other—wasn’t we, Father?”
“Forgive my saying so, Mr. White, but, with all this competition, is there much chance of your getting work at that age? What are you?”
“Painter I am, sir; take any work—I’m not particular. Mr. Williams gives me a bit when times are good, but the winter——”
“Father can work, sir; oh! ’e can work!”
“Thirty-three years I worked for one firm—thirty-three years.”
“What firm was that?”
“Thirty-three years—till they gave up business——”
“But what firm——”
“Answer the gentleman’s question. Father’s very slow, sir.”
“Scotter’s, of John Street, that was—thirty-three years. Now they’ve given up.”