This was the conductor. I explained.
"We want a pennyworth." I turned to Stacey-Lumpton. "I have no coppers. Have you got twopence?"
He produced a sovereign purse.
"Have you change for a sovereign?"
This to the conductor, and the conductor was contemptuous.
"Change for a sovereign! I haven't got change for no sovereign, unless you like to take it all in coppers."
"Take change for a sovereign in coppers? What do you suppose I should do with a sovereign's worth of coppers?"
"I don't know nothing at all about it. I've got to do with 'em, haven't I? Twopence, please!"
Jimmy's friend interposed.
"You 'and me over the sovering. I'll change it. I got sevenpence-'apenny,"