"I 'll be b-back in l-less than an hour, Mr. M-M-Moore, and see you have your money r-ready."
"Ready money is a nice thing," assented Moore. "Good day, Mr. Smirk."
"G-g-good d-day," began the shoemaker.
"Finish it outside," suggested Moore.
"I w-w-will, s-sir," replied Smirk, and as he proceeded slowly and unsteadily downstairs, the whisky-burdened tones of the cobbler died away in a murmur and then ceased entirely.
"Observe me, Buster," said Moore, boots in hand. "These boots are made of one style. From Mr. Smirk I have procured one for my right foot; from Mr. Slink one for my left. The two together make a pair, which is the object I set out to accomplish."
"'Ooray!" shouted Buster. "Hi sees. Hi sees."
"A trifle late, Buster, a trifle late," said Moore, pulling on his recently acquired spoils.
"But, sir," said the boy, apprehensively, "they will both be back in a little while."
"Well, I 'll take pains not to be here then."