BOOK 12
ILLUSTRATIONS
FROM DRAWINGS BY WILL OWEN
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["'Gal overboard!' I ses, shouting"] ["Arter trying his 'ardest, he could only rock me a bit"] |
"MANNERS MAKYTH MAN"
The night-watchman appeared to be out of sorts. His movements were even slower than usual, and, when he sat, the soap-box seemed to be unable to give satisfaction. His face bore an expression of deep melancholy, but a smouldering gleam in his eye betokened feelings deeply moved.
"Play-acting I don't hold with," he burst out, with sudden ferocity. "Never did. I don't say I ain't been to a theayter once or twice in my life, but I always come away with the idea that anybody could act if they liked to try. It's a kid's game, a silly kid's game, dressing up and pretending to be somebody else."