"Ah! then, governor," he rejoined, "if they haven't the half-pence, they can't spend 'em, sure enough; so there's nothing for me but to carry 'em elsewhere."
"How much will you take for the lot?" I inquired.
"I'll be glad to get four shillin'."
I put my hand in my pocket, produced that amount and transferred it to him.
"Right! governor, thank'ee! what'll I do with 'em?" he said, as he quickly transferred the coins to his own pocket.
"Go round this corner into the middle of the street, shout with all your might,—
'HERRINGS FOR NOTHING!'
and give three to every man, woman, and child, that comes to you, till the basket is emptied."
So he proceeded into the middle of the street, and went along shouting, "Herrings for nothing! good red herrings for nothing!"
I stood at the corner to watch his progress; and soon he neared the house where a tall woman stood at the first floor window looking out upon him.