"I beg your pardon, I sha'n't shirk anything."
"Bless me!" cried the broker, "I mean do you know business?"
"No business," answered Joseph, with a solemn shake of the head; "I am sorry for that; times are dull though, all round."
"I've got plenty, you mistake me, don't run away with that idea, you won't find this an easy place."
"Got a greasy face, have I?" responded Joseph. "It's not very polite of you to tell me that."
"What the——" began Mr. Maybrick, when Joe's father handed him the cheque.
"There's the needful," exclaimed Mr. Loyd.
"Thanks," replied the broker, adding, "I say, old friend isn't Master Joseph a little hard of hearing?"
"Oh! ah! not that exactly."
"What then?"