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diff --git a/11183-h/004.jpg b/11183-h/004.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..44b0431 --- /dev/null +++ b/11183-h/004.jpg diff --git a/11183-h/005.jpg b/11183-h/005.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b7185ab --- /dev/null +++ b/11183-h/005.jpg diff --git a/11183-h/11183-h.htm b/11183-h/11183-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fe9dac8 --- /dev/null +++ b/11183-h/11183-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1204 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" + content="text/html; charset=US-ASCII"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of + Captains All, + by W.W. Jacobs, Book 3. +</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body {background:#faebd7;} + * { font-family: Times; + } + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin: 15%; + margin-top: .75em; + font-size: 14pt; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; color:#A82C28;} + HR { width: 33%; } + PRE { font-family: Courier, monospaced;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; font-size: 14pt; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + // --> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Nest Egg, by W.W. Jacobs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Nest Egg + Captains All, Book 3. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: February 20, 2004 [EBook #11183] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NEST EGG *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1> + CAPTAINS ALL +</h1> +<br /> +<h2> + By W.W. Jacobs +</h2> +<br /><br /> + +<center> +<h2>Book 3.</h2> +</center> +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="title (79K)" src="title.jpg" height="884" width="533" /> +</center> +<br><br> + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="frontis (94K)" src="frontis.jpg" height="906" width="532" /> +</center> +<br><br> + + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + +<h2>List of Illustrations</h2> + +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + + + + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-4"> +"The Nest Egg." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-5"> +"He Said It Was a Had Road and A Little Shop, And 'ad Got +A Look About It he Didn't Like." +</a></p> + + + + + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + +<br /><br /> +<hr> + + + + + +<a name="2H_4_3"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + THE NEST EGG +</h2> +<a name="image-4"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="004.jpg" height="563" width="360" +alt="'the Nest Egg.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "Artfulness," said the night-watch-man, smoking placidly, "is a gift; but + it don't pay always. I've met some artful ones in my time—plenty of + 'em; but I can't truthfully say as 'ow any of them was the better for + meeting me." +</p> +<p> + He rose slowly from the packing-case on which he had been sitting and, + stamping down the point of a rusty nail with his heel, resumed his seat, + remarking that he had endured it for some time under the impression that + it was only a splinter. +</p> +<p> + "I've surprised more than one in my time," he continued, slowly. "When I + met one of these 'ere artful ones I used fust of all to pretend to be + more stupid than wot I really am." +</p> +<p> + He stopped and stared fixedly. +</p> +<p> + "More stupid than I looked," he said. He stopped again. +</p> +<p> + "More stupid than wot they thought I looked," he said, speaking with + marked deliberation. And I'd let 'em go on and on until I thought I had + 'ad about enough, and then turn round on 'em. Nobody ever got the better + o' me except my wife, and that was only before we was married. Two + nights arterwards she found a fish-hook in my trouser-pocket, and arter + that I could ha' left untold gold there—if I'd ha' had it. It spoilt + wot some people call the honey-moon, but it paid in the long run. +</p> +<p> + One o' the worst things a man can do is to take up artfulness all of a + sudden. I never knew it to answer yet, and I can tell you of a case + that'll prove my words true. +</p> +<p> + It's some years ago now, and the chap it 'appened to was a young man, a + shipmate o' mine, named Charlie Tagg. Very steady young chap he was, too + steady for most of 'em. That's 'ow it was me and 'im got to be such + pals. +</p> +<p> + He'd been saving up for years to get married, and all the advice we could + give 'im didn't 'ave any effect. He saved up nearly every penny of 'is + money and gave it to his gal to keep for 'im, and the time I'm speaking + of she'd got seventy-two pounds of 'is and seventeen-and-six of 'er own + to set up house-keeping with. +</p> +<p> + Then a thing happened that I've known to 'appen to sailormen afore. At + Sydney 'e got silly on another gal, and started walking out with her, and + afore he knew wot he was about he'd promised to marry 'er too. +</p> +<p> + Sydney and London being a long way from each other was in 'is favour, but + the thing that troubled 'im was 'ow to get that seventy-two pounds out of + Emma Cook, 'is London gal, so as he could marry the other with it. It + worried 'im all the way home, and by the time we got into the London + river 'is head was all in a maze with it. Emma Cook 'ad got it all saved + up in the bank, to take a little shop with when they got spliced, and 'ow + to get it he could not think. +</p> +<p> + He went straight off to Poplar, where she lived, as soon as the ship was + berthed. He walked all the way so as to 'ave more time for thinking, but + wot with bumping into two old gentlemen with bad tempers, and being + nearly run over by a cabman with a white 'orse and red whiskers, he got + to the house without 'aving thought of anything. +</p> +<p> + They was just finishing their tea as 'e got there, and they all seemed so + pleased to see 'im that it made it worse than ever for 'im. Mrs. Cook, + who 'ad pretty near finished, gave 'im her own cup to drink out of, and + said that she 'ad dreamt of 'im the night afore last, and old Cook said + that he 'ad got so good-looking 'e shouldn't 'ave known him. +</p> +<p> + "I should 'ave passed 'im in the street," he ses. "I never see such an + alteration." +</p> +<p> + "They'll be a nice-looking couple," ses his wife, looking at a young + chap, named George Smith, that 'ad been sitting next to Emma. +</p> +<p> + Charlie Tagg filled 'is mouth with bread and butter, and wondered 'ow he + was to begin. He squeezed Emma's 'and just for the sake of keeping up + appearances, and all the time 'e was thinking of the other gal waiting + for 'im thousands o' miles away. +</p> +<p> + "You've come 'ome just in the nick o' time," ses old Cook; "if you'd done + it o' purpose you couldn't 'ave arranged it better." +</p> +<p> + "Somebody's birthday?" ses Charlie, trying to smile. +</p> +<p> + Old Cook shook his 'ead. "Though mine is next Wednesday," he ses, "and + thank you for thinking of it. No; you're just in time for the biggest + bargain in the chandlery line that anybody ever 'ad a chance of. If you + 'adn't ha' come back we should have 'ad to ha' done it without you." +</p> +<p> + "Eighty pounds," ses Mrs. Cook, smiling at Charlie. "With the money + Emma's got saved and your wages this trip you'll 'ave plenty. You must + come round arter tea and 'ave a look at it." +</p> +<p> + "Little place not arf a mile from 'ere," ses old Cook. "Properly worked + up, the way Emma'll do it, it'll be a little fortune. I wish I'd had a + chance like it in my young time." +</p> +<p> + He sat shaking his 'ead to think wot he'd lost, and Charlie Tagg sat + staring at 'im and wondering wot he was to do. +</p> +<p> + "My idea is for Charlie to go for a few more v'y'ges arter they're + married while Emma works up the business," ses Mrs. Cook; "she'll be all + right with young Bill and Sarah Ann to 'elp her and keep 'er company + while he's away." +</p> +<p> + "We'll see as she ain't lonely," ses George Smith, turning to Charlie. +</p> +<p> + Charlie Tagg gave a bit of a cough and said it wanted considering. He + said it was no good doing things in a 'urry and then repenting of 'em all + the rest of your life. And 'e said he'd been given to understand that + chandlery wasn't wot it 'ad been, and some of the cleverest people 'e + knew thought that it would be worse before it was better. By the time + he'd finished they was all looking at 'im as though they couldn't believe + their ears. +</p> +<p> + "You just step round and 'ave a look at the place," ses old Cook; "if + that don't make you alter your tune, call me a sinner." +</p> +<p> + Charlie Tagg felt as though 'e could ha' called 'im a lot o' worse things + than that, but he took up 'is hat and Mrs. Cook and Emma got their + bonnets on and they went round. +</p> +<p> + "I don't think much of it for eighty pounds," ses Charlie, beginning his + artfulness as they came near a big shop, with plate-glass and a double + front. +</p> +<p> + "Eh?" ses old Cook, staring at 'im. "Why, that ain't the place. Why, + you wouldn't get that for eight 'undred." +</p> +<p> + "Well, I don't think much of it," ses Charlie; "if it's worse than that I + can't look at it—I can't, indeed." +</p> +<p> + "You ain't been drinking, Charlie?" ses old Cook, in a puzzled voice. +</p> +<p> + "Certainly not," ses Charlie. +</p> +<p> + He was pleased to see 'ow anxious they all looked, and when they did come + to the shop 'e set up a laugh that old Cook said chilled the marrer in + 'is bones. He stood looking in a 'elpless sort o' way at his wife and + Emma, and then at last he ses, "There it is; and a fair bargain at the + price." +</p> +<p> + "I s'pose you ain't been drinking?" ses Charlie. +</p> +<p> + "Wot's the matter with it?" ses Mrs. Cook flaring up. +</p> +<p> + "Come inside and look at it," ses Emma, taking 'old of his arm. +</p> +<p> + "Not me," ses Charlie, hanging back. "Why, I wouldn't take it at a + gift." +</p> +<p> + He stood there on the kerbstone, and all they could do 'e wouldn't budge. + He said it was a bad road and a little shop, and 'ad got a look about it + he didn't like. They walked back 'ome like a funeral procession, and + Emma 'ad to keep saying "<i>H's!</i>" in w'ispers to 'er mother all the way. +</p> +<a name="image-5"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="005.jpg" height="870" width="523" +alt="'he Said It Was a Had Road and A Little Shop, And 'ad Got +A Look About It he Didn't Like.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "I don't know wot Charlie does want, I'm sure," ses Mrs. Cook, taking off + 'er bonnet as soon as she got indoors and pitching it on the chair he was + just going to set down on. +</p> +<p> + "It's so awk'ard," ses old Cook, rubbing his 'cad. "Fact is, Charlie, we + pretty near gave 'em to understand as we'd buy it." +</p> +<p> + "It's as good as settled," ses Mrs. Cook, trembling all over with temper. +</p> +<p> + "They won't settle till they get the money," ses Charlie. "You may make + your mind easy about that." +</p> +<p> + "Emma's drawn it all out of the bank ready," ses old Cook, eager like. +</p> +<p> + Charlie felt 'ot and cold all over. "I'd better take care of it," he + ses, in a trembling voice. "You might be robbed." +</p> +<p> + "So might you be," ses Mrs. Cook. "Don't you worry; it's in a safe + place." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "They won't rob Charlie," ses Mrs. Cook, pressing 'er lips together. + "I'll take care o' that." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "I dessay I should get over it," ses Mrs. Cook, sniffing. "I'd 'ave a + try, at all events." +</p> +<p> + Charlie started to laugh agin, and old Cook, who had struck another + match, blew it out and waited till he'd finished. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Not afore I know where I am," ses Mrs. Cook, with a laugh that was worse + than Charlie's. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + Charlie sat there arguing all the evening, but it was no good, and the + idea o' them people sitting there and refusing to let 'im have his own + money pretty near sent 'im crazy. It was all 'e could do to kiss Emma + good-night, and 'e couldn't have 'elped slamming the front door if he'd + been paid for it. The only comfort he 'ad got left was the Sydney gal's + photygraph, and he took that out and looked at it under nearly every + lamp-post he passed. +</p> +<p> + He went round the next night and 'ad an-other try to get 'is money, but + it was no use; and all the good he done was to make Mrs. Cook in such a + temper that she 'ad to go to bed before he 'ad arf finished. It was no + good talking to old Cook and Emma, because they daren't do anything + without 'er, and it was no good calling things up the stairs to her + because she didn't answer. Three nights running Mrs. Cook went off to + bed afore eight o'clock, for fear she should say something to 'im as + she'd be sorry for arterwards; and for three nights Charlie made 'imself + so disagreeable that Emma told 'im plain the sooner 'e went back to sea + agin the better she should like it. The only one who seemed to enjoy it + was George Smith, and 'e used to bring bits out o' newspapers and read to + 'em, showing 'ow silly people was done out of their money. +</p> +<p> + On the fourth night Charlie dropped it and made 'imself so amiable that + Mrs. Cook stayed up and made 'im a Welsh rare-bit for 'is supper, and + made 'im drink two glasses o' beer instead o' one, while old Cook sat and + drank three glasses o' water just out of temper, and to show that 'e + didn't mind. When she started on the chandler's shop agin Charlie said + he'd think it over, and when 'e went away Mrs. Cook called 'im her + sailor-boy and wished 'im pleasant dreams. +</p> +<p> + But Charlie Tagg 'ad got better things to do than to dream, and 'e sat up + in bed arf the night thinking out a new plan he'd thought of to get that + money. When 'e did fall asleep at last 'e dreamt of taking a little farm + in Australia and riding about on 'orseback with the Sydney gal watching + his men at work. +</p> +<p> + In the morning he went and hunted up a shipmate of 'is, a young feller + named Jack Bates. Jack was one o' these 'ere chaps, nobody's enemy but + their own, as the saying is; a good-'arted, free-'anded chap as you could + wish to see. Everybody liked 'im, and the ship's cat loved 'im. He'd + ha' sold the shirt off 'is back to oblige a pal, and three times in one + week he got 'is face scratched for trying to prevent 'usbands knocking + their wives about. +</p> +<p> + Charlie Tagg went to 'im because he was the only man 'e could trust, and + for over arf an hour he was telling Jack Bates all 'is troubles, and at + last, as a great favour, he let 'im see the Sydney gal's photygraph, and + told him that all that pore gal's future 'appiness depended upon 'im. +</p> +<p> + "I'll step round to-night and rob 'em of that seventy-two pounds," ses + Jack; "it's your money, and you've a right to it." +</p> +<p> + Charlie shook his 'ead. "That wouldn't do," he ses; "besides, I don't + know where they keep it. No; I've got a better plan than that. Come + round to the Crooked Billet, so as we can talk it over in peace and + quiet." +</p> +<p> + He stood Jack three or four arf-pints afore 'e told 'im his plan, and + Jack was so pleased with it that he wanted to start at once, but Charlie + persuaded 'im to wait. +</p> +<p> + "And don't you spare me, mind, out o' friendship," ses Charlie, "because + the blacker you paint me the better I shall like it." +</p> +<p> + "You trust me, mate," ses Jack Bates; "if I don't get that seventy-two + pounds for you, you may call me a Dutchman. Why, it's fair robbery, I + call it, sticking to your money like that." +</p> +<p> + They spent the rest o' the day together, and when evening came Charlie + went off to the Cooks'. Emma 'ad arf expected they was going to a + theayter that night, but Charlie said he wasn't feeling the thing, and he + sat there so quiet and miserable they didn't know wot to make of 'im. +</p> +<p> + "'Ave you got any trouble on your mind, Charlie," ses Mrs. Cook, "or is + it the tooth-ache?" +</p> +<p> + "It ain't the toothache," ses Charlie. +</p> +<p> + He sat there pulling a long face and staring at the floor, but all Mrs. + Cook and Emma could do 'e wouldn't tell them wot was the matter with 'im. + He said 'e didn't want to worry other people with 'is troubles; let + everybody bear their own, that was 'is motto. Even when George Smith + offered to go to the theayter with Emma instead of 'im he didn't fire up, + and, if it 'adn't ha' been for Mrs. Cook, George wouldn't ha' been sorry + that 'e spoke. +</p> +<p> + "Theayters ain't for me," ses Charlie, with a groan. "I'm more likely to + go to gaol, so far as I can see, than a theayter." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Cook and Emma both screamed and Sarah Ann did 'er first + highstericks, and very well, too, considering that she 'ad only just + turned fifteen. +</p> +<p> + "Gaol!" ses old Cook, as soon as they 'ad quieted Sarah Ann with a bowl + o' cold water that young Bill 'ad the presence o' mind to go and fetch. + "Gaol! What for?" +</p> +<p> + "You wouldn't believe if I was to tell you." ses Charlie, getting up to + go, "and besides, I don't want any of you to think as 'ow I am worse than + wot I am." +</p> +<p> + He shook his 'cad at them sorrowful-like, and afore they could stop 'im + he 'ad gone. Old Cook shouted arter 'im, but it was no use, and the + others was running into the scullery to fill the bowl agin for Emma. +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Cook went round to 'is lodgings next morning, but found that 'e was + out. They began to fancy all sorts o' things then, but Charlie turned up + agin that evening more miserable than ever. +</p> +<p> + "I went round to see you this morning," ses Mrs. Cook, "but you wasn't at + 'ome." +</p> +<p> + "I never am, 'ardly," ses Charlie. "I can't be—it ain't safe." +</p> +<p> + "Why not?" ses Mrs. Cook, fidgeting. +</p> +<p> + "If I was to tell you, you'd lose your good opinion of me," ses Charlie. +</p> +<p> + "It wouldn't be much to lose," ses Mrs. Cook, firing up. +</p> +<p> + Charlie didn't answer 'er. When he did speak he spoke to the old man, + and he was so down-'arted that 'e gave 'im the chills a'most, He 'ardly + took any notice of Emma, and, when Mrs. Cook spoke about the shop agin, + said that chandlers' shops was for happy people, not for 'im. +</p> +<p> + By the time they sat down to supper they was nearly all as miserable as + Charlie 'imself. From words he let drop they all seemed to 'ave the idea + that the police was arter 'im, and Mrs. Cook was just asking 'im for wot + she called the third and last time, but wot was more likely the hundred + and third, wot he'd done, when there was a knock at the front door, so + loud and so sudden that old Cook and young Bill both cut their mouths at + the same time. +</p> +<p> + "Anybody 'ere o' the name of Emma Cook?" ses a man's voice, when young + Bill opened the door. +</p> +<p> + "She's inside," ses the boy, and the next moment Jack Bates followed 'im + into the room, and then fell back with a start as 'e saw Charlie Tagg. +</p> +<p> + "Ho, 'ere you are, are you?" he ses, looking at 'im very black. + "Wot's the matter?" ses Mrs. Cook, very sharp. +</p> +<p> + "I didn't expect to 'ave the pleasure o' seeing you 'ere, my lad," ses + Jack, still staring at Charlie, and twisting 'is face up into awful + scowls. "Which is Emma Cook?" +</p> +<p> + "Miss Cook is my name," ses Emma, very sharp. "Wot d'ye want?" +</p> +<p> + "Very good," ses Jack Bates, looking at Charlie agin; "then p'r'aps + you'll do me the kindness of telling that lie o' yours agin afore this + young lady." +</p> +<p> + "It's the truth," ses Charlie, looking down at 'is plate. +</p> +<p> + "If somebody don't tell me wot all this is about in two minutes, I shall + do something desprit," ses Mrs. Cook, getting up. +</p> +<p> + "This 'ere—er—man," ses Jack Bates, pointing at Charlie, "owes me + seventy-five pounds and won't pay. When I ask 'im for it he ses a party + he's keeping company with, by the name of Emma Cook, 'as got it, and he + can't get it." +</p> +<p> + "So she has," ses Charlie, without looking up. +</p> +<p> + "Wot does 'e owe you the money for?" ses Mrs. Cook. +</p> +<p> + "'Cos I lent it to 'im," ses Jack. +</p> +<p> + "Lent it? What for?" ses Mrs. Cook. +</p> +<p> + "'Cos I was a fool, I s'pose," ses jack Bates; "a good-natured fool. + Anyway, I'm sick and tired of asking for it, and if I don't get it + to-night I'm going to see the police about it." +</p> +<p> + He sat down on a chair with 'is hat cocked over one eye, and they all sat + staring at 'im as though they didn't know wot to say next. +</p> +<p> + "So this is wot you meant when you said you'd got the chance of a + lifetime, is it?" ses Mrs. Cook to Charlie. "This is wot you wanted it + for, is it? Wot did you borrow all that money for?" +</p> +<p> + "Spend," ses Charlie, in a sulky voice. +</p> +<p> + "Spend!" ses Mrs. Cook, with a scream; "wot in?" +</p> +<p> + "Drink and cards mostly," ses Jack Bates, remembering wot Charlie 'ad + told 'im about blackening 'is character. +</p> +<p> + You might ha' heard a pin drop a'most, and Charlie sat there without + saying a word. +</p> +<p> + "Charlie's been led away," ses Mrs. Cook, looking 'ard at Jack Bates. "I + s'pose you lent 'im the money to win it back from 'im at cards, didn't + you?" +</p> +<p> + "And gave 'im too much licker fust," ses old Cook. "I've 'eard of your + kind. If Charlie takes my advice 'e won't pay you a farthing. I should + let you do your worst if I was 'im; that's wot I should do. You've got a + low face; a nasty, ugly, low face." +</p> +<p> + "One o' the worst I ever see," ses Mrs. Cook. "It looks as though it + might ha' been cut out o' the Police News." +</p> +<p> + "'Owever could you ha' trusted a man with a face like that, Charlie?" ses + old Cook. "Come away from 'im, Bill; I don't like such a chap in the + room." +</p> +<p> + Jack Bates began to feel very awk'ard. They was all glaring at 'im as + though they could eat 'im, and he wasn't used to such treatment. And, as + a matter o' fact, he'd got a very good-'arted face. +</p> +<p> + "You go out o' that door," ses old Cook, pointing to it. "Go and do your + worst. You won't get any money 'ere." +</p> +<p> + "Stop a minute," ses Emma, and afore they could stop 'er she ran + upstairs. Mrs. Cook went arter 'er and 'igh words was heard up in the + bedroom, but by-and-by Emma came down holding her head very 'igh and + looking at Jack Bates as though he was dirt. +</p> +<p> + "How am I to know Charlie owes you this money?" she ses. +</p> +<p> + Jack Bates turned very red, and arter fumbling in 'is pockets took out + about a dozen dirty bits o' paper, which Charlie 'ad given 'im for + I O U's. Emma read 'em all, and then she threw a little parcel on the + table. +</p> +<p> + "There's your money," she ses; "take it and go." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Cook and 'er father began to call out, but it was no good. +</p> +<p> + "There's seventy-two pounds there," ses Emma, who was very pale; "and + 'ere's a ring you can have to 'elp make up the rest." And she drew + Charlie's ring off and throwed it on the table. "I've done with 'im for + good," she ses, with a look at 'er mother. +</p> +<p> + Jack Bates took up the money and the ring and stood there looking at 'er + and trying to think wot to say. He'd always been uncommon partial to the + sex, and it did seem 'ard to stand there and take all that on account of + Charlie Tagg. +</p> +<p> + "I only wanted my own," he ses, at last, shuffling about the floor. +</p> +<p> + "Well, you've got it," ses Mrs. Cook, "and now you can go." +</p> +<p> + "You're pi'soning the air of my front parlour," ses old Cook, opening the + winder a little at the top. +</p> +<p> + "P'r'aps I ain't so bad as you think I am," ses Jack Bates, still looking + at Emma, and with that 'e walked over to Charlie and dumped down the + money on the table in front of 'im. "Take it," he ses, "and don't borrow + any more. I make you a free gift of it. P'r'aps my 'art ain't as black + as my face," he ses, turning to Mrs. Cook. +</p> +<p> + They was all so surprised at fust that they couldn't speak, but old Cook + smiled at 'im and put the winder up agin. And Charlie Tagg sat there arf + mad with temper, locking as though 'e could eat Jack Bates without any + salt, as the saying is. +</p> +<p> + "I—I can't take it," he ses at last, with a stammer. +</p> +<p> + "Can't take it? Why not?" ses old Cook, staring. "This gentleman 'as + given it to you." "A free gift," ses Mrs. Cook, smiling at Jack + very sweet. +</p> +<p> + "I can't take it," ses Charlie, winking at Jack to take the money up and + give it to 'im quiet, as arranged. "I 'ave my pride." +</p> +<p> + "So 'ave I," ses Jack. "Are you going to take it?" +</p> +<p> + Charlie gave another look. "No," he ses, "I cant take a favour. I + borrowed the money and I'll pay it back. +</p> +<p> + "Very good," ses Jack, taking it up. "It's my money, ain't it?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes," ses Charlie, taking no notice of Mrs. Cook and 'er husband, wot + was both talking to 'im at once, and trying to persuade 'im to alter his + mind. +</p> +<p> + "Then I give it to Miss Emma Cook," ses Jack Bates, putting it into her + hands. "Good-night everybody and good luck." +</p> +<p> + He slammed the front door behind 'im and they 'eard 'im go off down the + road as if 'e was going for fire-engines. Charlie sat there for a moment + struck all of a heap, and then 'e jumped up and dashed arter 'im. He + just saw 'im disappearing round a corner, and he didn't see 'im agin for + a couple o' year arterwards, by which time the Sydney gal had 'ad three + or four young men arter 'im, and Emma, who 'ad changed her name to Smith, + was doing one o' the best businesses in the chandlery line in Poplar. +</p> + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Nest Egg, by W.W. 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