"Yaas, Trypheeny, that's jest who it is. Saay, ken you tayl me what's
come o' my close?"
"They are here, Ben, close to the table;" whereupon all the company
glanced at Mr. Rigby, and choked.
"Cayn't you take 'em off what they're on, and saynd one of the boys in
with 'em, Trypheeny?"
The cook coloured up, and laughter could no longer be restrained. The
constable laughed, and the contagion spread to Matilda and her boy.
"Dod rot it?" cried Mr. Toner, indignantly; "what are you fools and
eejuts a screechin' and yellin' at? Gimme my close, or, s'haylp me,
I'll come right out and bust some low down loafer's thinkin' mill."
"Now, be quiet, Ben," answered Tryphena, "and I will send Rufus in with
your breakfast. You shall have your clothes when they are ready."
So, Rufus took in a plentiful breakfast to his friend Toner, who sat up
in the big bed to enjoy it. "I'm powerful sorry for you, Ben," remarked
the Baby. "You don't think Serlizer could ha' come in and taken your
clothes out into the rain, do you?"
"Hev they been out in the rain, Rufus?"
"Why yes, didn't you know that much? If it hadn't been for the
constable, they might ha' been out there yet.
Pages:
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518