He walked off a little way as the man re-entered the bar. A second or two later, the carman came out alone.
“’E ses come inside ’e ses if you want to see ’im.”
“I can’t,” said Flower.
“Why not?” asked the other, as a horrible suspicion dawned upon him. “Strewth, you ain’t a teetotaler, are you?”
“No,” replied the skipper, “but I can’t go in.”
“Well ’e won’t come out,” said the other; “’e seems to be a short-tempered sort o’ man.”
“I must see him,” said the skipper, pondering. Then a happy thought struck him, and he smiled at his cleverness. “Tell him a little flower wants to see him,” he said, briskly.
“A little wot?” demanded the carman, blankly.
“A little flower,” repeated the other.
“Where is she?” enquired the carman, casting his eyes about him.