“How much?” said Dick.
“Threepence,” said Smith, but was instantly jostled by a violent nudge from Gosse.
“How much tin have you got?” demanded that official.
Dick, who had long ere this lost any reverence he might be expected to entertain towards the secretary of the Den, replied:
“Threepence.”
“Howling cram!” observed Gosse. “I know you’ve more than that.”
“Ah! you’ve been putting your hands in my pockets then?”
Whereat there was a mighty cheer, and the Den was called to order to hear the joke, which it did with genuine merriment; and then and there passed a resolution unanimously, requesting Mr Gosse once more to comply with Rule 5. That young gentleman got out of it this time by making a public apology, and in no way abashed by the incident, proceeded to attend the treasurers during the remainder of their business circuit. Culver stayed behind, and said to Dick:—
“Awfully well you shut him up. I say, by the way, I suppose you don’t want a knife, do you?”
“Yes, I do. Have you got one?”