Mr Crow, thus appealed to, replied, “Oh, of course. We don’t get much laughing, though.”
Mr Doubleday waxed red in the face at this, and rounded on Smith.
“Don’t go staring at me, do you hear? Look in the fireplace, can’t you? and then you won’t set alight to anything. Do you know this kid here?” added he, pointing at me over his shoulder.
“Yes,” replied Smith.
“Do you know he’s after the place?”
“Yes,” said Smith.
“Then what do you want to come after it for? One of you’s enough, ain’t it?”
Smith stared solemnly at the speaker, whereat that virtuous individual waxed once more very wroth.
“Look here, if you can’t cast your eyes somewhere else, young fellow, I’ll cast them for you, so now. Why don’t you answer my question?”
“I was told to be here at half-past ten,” replied Jack.