“Sailormen are always being robbed,” ses George Smith, who 'ad been helping young Bill with 'is sums while they 'ad gone to look at the shop. “There's more sailormen robbed than all the rest put together.”
“They won't rob Charlie,” ses Mrs. Cook, pressing 'er lips together. “I'll take care o' that.”
Charlie tried to laugh, but 'e made such a queer noise that young Bill made a large blot on 'is exercise-book, and old Cook, wot was lighting his pipe, burnt 'is fingers through not looking wot 'e was doing.
“You see,” ses Charlie, “if I was robbed, which ain't at all likely, it 'ud only be me losing my own money; but if you was robbed of it you'd never forgive yourselves.”
“I dessay I should get over it,” ses Mrs. Cook, sniffing. “I'd 'ave a try, at all events.”
Charlie started to laugh agin, and old Cook, who had struck another match, blew it out and waited till he'd finished.
“The whole truth is,” ses Charlie, looking round, “I've got something better to do with the money. I've got a chance offered me that'll make me able to double it afore you know where you are.”
“Not afore I know where I am,” ses Mrs. Cook, with a laugh that was worse than Charlie's.
“The chance of a lifetime,” ses Charlie, trying to keep 'is temper. “I can't tell you wot it is, because I've promised to keep it secret for a time. You'll be surprised when I do tell you.”
“If I wait till then till I'm surprised,” ses Mrs. Cook, “I shall 'ave to wait a long time. My advice to you is to take that shop and ha' done with it.”