"'Allo, Alf!" he said. "Thought it must 've been you. Look 'ere, I want to see you——"
"Perhaps," I interrupted, "your friend would like to change places with me. Then you can scrutinise him at your ease—and mine."
"You're a sport," remarked Bert.
He spoke truly. Little did he guess he was addressing a Double-Blue—bowls and quoits. Alf and I changed places, and my attention at once became absorbed by a notice headed
BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS.
I had just reached the exciting part when two girls arrived on the landing.
"There aren't two together; we shall have to divide," I heard one say.
"Excuse me," I said, rising. "Don't divide. I'll get into a single seat if you care to take this double one."
I was rewarded with the now almost obsolete formula of "Thank you," and moved a seat further back. Here I found some fresh reading material provided for me in the shape of a notice to the effect that
PASSENGERS ARE WARNED
NOT TO PUT THEIR ARMS
OVER THE SIDE OF THE BUS.