“No, no, er—no, lad, no need,” and Joe sat down again and re-filled his pot.
The silence continued.
Suddenly Hal rose and, standing on tiptoe, reached down one of the old cups on the high mantel shelf, and emptied its contents into his hand.
Joe heard the clink of coins and looked up.
His friend was leaning against the chimney-piece, his face half hidden, and in his hand which he held open before him were two little coins.
Presently the younger man turned away from the fire and held out his hand to Pullen.
“Do you remember these, mate?” he said rather abruptly.
Joe looked at the money curiously.
“Groats?” he said. “Well, now, I can’t say as I do, but——” He broke off suddenly. “That day we’d bin after fish?” he enquired.
Hal nodded.