“That’s just what I am, Ned.”
“Well, there’s no accountin’ for taste. I hope it pays.”
“Ay, pays splendidly—pays the seller of the books and pays the buyers better.”
“How’s that?” asked Ned, in some surprise, going up to the barrow; “oh! I see, Bibles.”
“Yes, Ned, Bibles, the Word of God. Will you buy one?”
“No, thank ’ee,” said Ned, drily.
“Here, I’ll make you a present o’ one, then,” returned North, thrusting a Bible into the other’s hand; “you can’t refuse it of an old comrade. Good-night. I’ll look in on you soon.”
“You needn’t trouble yourself,” Ned called out as his friend went off; and he felt half inclined to fling the Bible after him, but checked himself. It was worth money! so he put it in his pocket and went his way.
The hall was very full that night, a new comic singer of great promise having been announced, and oh! it was sad to see the youths of both sexes, little more than big boys and girls, who went there to smoke, and drink, and enjoy ribald songs and indecent jests!
We do not mean to describe the proceedings. Let it suffice to say that, after one or two songs and a dance had been got through, Ned, part of whose duty it was to announce the performances, rose and in a loud voice said—