This was smart of him. By differing a little from the usual match-boy manner, he attracted more attention, and grins, and coppers.
One morning I had climbed up to the top of the 'bus and taken my seat, when I saw that the boy had followed me.
"No use," I said; "I don't want any this morning."
"Well, I ain't sellin' none this mornin', Sir. I'm goin' a ride on this 'ere 'buss. My wife's got the carridge hout in the Park; so I'm druv to takin' busses—same as you, Sir." He took the seat next to mine, and added seriously, "I expecks as you ain't likely to be buyin' no more matches from me."
"Why, WILLIAM?"
"My name is REGGERNULD, Sir. Yer see, I'm movin' inter other premises, as yer might say. I've give up my stand at yon corner." He jerked his thumb in the direction of it.
"What's that for?"
"Oh—well—nothin'. Some of 'em think I'm a fool for doin' it. The fac' was—I couldn't quite git on with my comp'ny there?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that other boy what come last Toosday, and started sellin' pipers at my corner. You don't know 'oo 'e is, p'r'aps, nor 'oo I am." I did not know, and I was very willing to get the story out of REGINALD.