The flail was handed out of the van to the man called Drownlands, Zita received a piece of gold and half a crown in her palm. She retired into the waggon, and immediately reappeared with a second flail.
'Here is another, after all,' said she; 'I didn't think I had it.'
'I'll take that to make the pair,' said Drownlands; 'but as you've done me over the first, I think you should give me this one.'
'I done you!' exclaimed Zita; 'you've done yourself.'
'She's right there,' observed a man in the crowd. 'Them tigers—Runham and Drownlands—would fight about a straw.'
'Are you going to hand me over that flail?' asked the dark purchaser.
Zita remained for a moment undecided. She had in verity made an unprecedented price with the first, and she was half inclined to surrender the second gratis, but to give and receive nothing was against the moral code of Cheap Jacks from the beginning of Cheap Jacking. Whilst she hesitated, holding the flail in suspense, and with a finger on her lips, the fair man yelled out—
'Don't let the blackguard have it. I'll have it to spoil the pair for him, and for no other reason.'
'I will have it, you scoundrel!' howled the dark man. 'I have as much gold as ever you have. I don't care what I spend. Here, girl! a crown to begin with.'