If he expected a love-passage he was disappointed. The girl, as soon as her whistle was returned, flung a piece of paper over the hedge and walked quickly away. Tony gave the odd-job man time to pick up the billet and presently strolled round, still drying his hands.
"Clean, sir?" asked the odd-job man stolidly. After all, the privet was thick and Tony might not have seen.
"Yes, thanks.... I say, Brown, I've been thinking over what you said about work just now. It seems to me that there's quite a lot to be said for it."
"Yes, sir?"
"I should like to know more ... to hear a little more about the practical side of the question before making up my mind as to its intrinsic worth. I wonder if you'd care to smoke a pipe and try the cider of The Happy Heart with me to-night?"
"Thank you, sir," replied Brown, betraying no surprise, "but I'm afraid I'm too busy."
"To-morrow, then...."
"Busy to-morrow, sir, too."
"Sunday an off day?"
"To be frank, sir, I have a young lady...."