He did not finish the sentence, except to himself, but what he did say was something emphatic and improving, because he shook his head a good deal over it.
Presently he got up and left the room. Harry watched him getting his hat and tying his muffler about his neck. When things were quite adjusted the old man feebly tottered down the steps. Harry took his hat and followed him.
"May I walk with you, sir?" he asked.
"Surely, surely!" Mr. Maliphant was surprised. "It is an unusual thing for me to have a companion. Formerly they came—ah—all the way from Rotherhithe to—to—sing and drink with me."
"Will you take my arm?" Harry asked.
The little old man, who wore black trousers and a dress-coat out of respect of the day, but, although the month was December, no great-coat—in fact he had never worn a great-coat in all his life—was trotting along with steps which showed weakness, but manifest intention. Harry wondered where he meant to go. He took the proffered arm, however, and seemed to get on better for the support.
"Are you going to church, sir," asked Harry, when they came opposite the good old church of Stepney, with its vast acres of dead men, and heard the bells ringing.
"No, young gentleman; no, certainly not. I have more important business to look after."
He quickened his steps, and they left the church behind them.