“Yus?” said the boy suddenly, “if——?”
“If you’ll give me those clothes the lady wot paints sent you to-day.”
“Gimme the five shillings then.”
“I won’t give you the money till you give me the clothes.”
“Oh, won’t you? Well, I won’t give you the clothes till you give me the money.”
They stared hostilely at each other.
“Get my clothes,” said the irate voice from the ditch. “Punch him—do anythin’ to him. Get—my—clothes.”
The boy looked round with interest into the ditch.
“Look at ’im!” he shrieked mirthfully. “Look at ’im. Nakid—jus’ dressed in a muff—Oh! look at ’im.”
William arose with murder in his face. Ginger hastily pressed the five shillings into the boy’s hand.