“Ted Reddish looked at ’is wife, and they both larfed as though they’d never leave orf.
“‘Why, the market price o’ the best wild men is only thirty shillings,’ ses Reddish, wiping ’is eyes. ‘I’ll give you a pound for ’im.’
“Old Sam looked at Russet, and Russet looked at Ginger, and then they all larfed.
“‘Well, there’s no getting over you, I can see that,’ ses Reddish, at last. ‘Is he strong?’
“‘Strong? Strong ain’t the word for it,’ ses Sam.
“‘Bring ’im to the back and let ’im ’ave a wrestle with one o’ the brown bears, Ted,’ ses ’is wife.
“‘’E’d kill it,’ ses old Sam, hastily.
“‘Never mind,’ ses Reddish, getting up; ‘brown bears is cheap enough.’
“They all got up then, none of ’em knowing wot to do, except the wild man, that is, and he got ’is arms tight round the leg o’ the table.
“‘Well,’ ses Ginger, ‘we’ll be pleased for ’im to wrestle with the bear, but we must ’ave the ’un-dered quid fust, in case ’e injures ’isself a little.’