"Now just get down and open this thing to let me have a look at the works."
The driver looked at me, and I nodded. No doubt he thought I was the old man's keeper.
Quarles looked at the engine.
"It isn't new," he remarked.
"No, guv'nor."
"How long has it been running?"
"I couldn't say. I'm not buying this on the hire system."
"You fellows do that sometimes, eh?"
"Yes, guv'nor, there are several of us chaps own their own taxi."
"That's good. Now for Richmond, and go slowly from Hyde Park Corner."