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W. Jacobs: Part 10 +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin: 15%; + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; } + PRE { font-family: cursive} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + // --> +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dixon's Return, 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: Dixon's Return + Odd Craft, Part 10. + +Author: W.W. Jacobs + +Release Date: April 30, 2004 [EBook #12210] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DIXON'S RETURN *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<br><br> +<center> +<img alt="title (42K)" src="title.jpg" height="658" width="479" /> +</center> +<br><br> +<br /><br /> +<h2> + 1909 +</h2> + +<center> +<h3>PART 10.</h3> +</center> + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + + +<h2>List of Illustrations</h2> + + + + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-48"> +"Talking About Eddication, Said the Night-watchman." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-49"> +"'Go and Sleep Somewhere Else, Then,' Ses Dixon." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-50"> +"You'd Better Go Upstairs and Put on Some Decent +Clothes." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-51"> +"Charlie Had 'ad As Much As 'e Wanted and Was Lying on The +Sea-chest." +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-52"> +"The Way She Answered Her 'usband Was a Pleasure to Every +Married Man in the Bar." +</a></p> + + + + + + + + + +<br /><br /> +<hr> +<br /><br /> + + + + + + + + +<a name="2H_4_10"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2> + DIXON'S RETURN +</h2> +<p> + Talking about eddication, said the night-watchman, thoughtfully, the + finest eddication you can give a lad is to send 'im to sea. School is + all right up to a certain p'int, but arter that comes the sea. I've been + there myself and I know wot I'm talking about. All that I am I owe to + 'aving been to sea. +</p> +<a name="image-48"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="048.jpg" height="483" width="599" +alt="'talking About Eddication, Said the Night-watchman.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + There's a saying that boys will be boys. That's all right till they go + to sea, and then they 'ave to be men, and good men too. They get knocked + about a bit, o' course, but that's all part o' the eddication, and when + they get bigger they pass the eddication they've received on to other + boys smaller than wot they are. Arter I'd been at sea a year I spent all + my fust time ashore going round and looking for boys wot 'ad knocked me + about afore I sailed, and there was only one out o' the whole lot that I + wished I 'adn't found. +</p> +<p> + Most people, o' course, go to sea as boys or else not at all, but I mind + one chap as was pretty near thirty years old when 'e started. It's a + good many years ago now, and he was landlord of a public-'ouse as used to + stand in Wapping, called the Blue Lion. +</p> +<p> + His mother, wot had 'ad the pub afore 'im, 'ad brought 'im up very quiet + and genteel, and when she died 'e went and married a fine, handsome young + woman who 'ad got her eye on the pub without thinking much about 'im. I + got to know about it through knowing the servant that lived there. A + nice, quiet gal she was, and there wasn't much went on that she didn't + hear. I've known 'er to cry for hours with the ear-ache, pore gal. +</p> +<p> + Not caring much for 'er 'usband, and being spoiled by 'im into the + bargain, Mrs. Dixon soon began to lead 'im a terrible life. She was + always throwing his meekness and mildness up into 'is face, and arter + they 'ad been married two or three years he was no more like the landlord + o' that public-'ouse than I'm like a lord. Not so much. She used to get + into such terrible tempers there was no doing anything with 'er, and for + the sake o' peace and quietness he gave way to 'er till 'e got into the + habit of it and couldn't break 'imself of it. +</p> +<p> + They 'adn't been married long afore she 'ad her cousin, Charlie Burge, + come in as barman, and a month or two arter that 'is brother Bob, who 'ad + been spending a lot o' time looking for work instead o' doing it, came + too. They was so comfortable there that their father—a 'ouse-painter by + trade—came round to see whether he couldn't paint the Blue Lion up a bit + and make 'em look smart, so that they'd get more trade. He was one o' + these 'ere fust-class 'ousepainters that can go to sleep on a ladder + holding a brush in one hand and a pot o' paint in the other, and by the + time he 'ad finished painting the 'ouse it was ready to be done all over + agin. +</p> +<p> + I dare say that George Dixon—that was 'is name—wouldn't ha' minded so + much if 'is wife 'ad only been civil, but instead o' that she used to + make fun of 'im and order 'im about, and by-and-by the others began to + try the same thing. As I said afore, Dixon was a very quiet man, and if + there was ever anybody to be put outside Charlie or Bob used to do it. + They tried to put me outside once, the two of 'em, but they on'y did it + at last by telling me that somebody 'ad gone off and left a pot o' beer + standing on the pavement. They was both of 'em fairly strong young chaps + with a lot of bounce in 'em, and she used to say to her 'usband wot fine + young fellers they was, and wot a pity it was he wasn't like 'em. +</p> +<p> + Talk like this used to upset George Dixon awful. Having been brought up + careful by 'is mother, and keeping a very quiet, respectable 'ouse—I + used it myself—he cert'nly was soft, and I remember 'im telling me once + that he didn't believe in fighting, and that instead of hitting people + you ought to try and persuade them. He was uncommon fond of 'is wife, + but at last one day, arter she 'ad made a laughing-stock of 'im in the + bar, he up and spoke sharp to her. +</p> +<p> + "Wot?" ses Mrs. Dixon, 'ardly able to believe her ears. +</p> +<p> + "Remember who you're speaking to; that's wot I said," ses Dixon. +</p> +<p> + "'Ow dare you talk to me like that?" screams 'is wife, turning red with + rage. "Wot d'ye mean by it?" +</p> +<p> + "Because you seem to forget who is master 'ere," ses Dixon, in a + trembling voice. +</p> +<p> + "Master?" she ses, firing up. "I'll soon show you who's master. Go out + o' my bar; I won't 'ave you in it. D'ye 'ear? Go out of it." +</p> +<p> + Dixon turned away and began to serve a customer. "D'ye hear wot I say?" + ses Mrs. Dixon, stamping 'er foot. "Go out o' my bar. Here, Charlie!" +</p> +<p> + "Hullo!" ses 'er cousin, who 'ad been standing looking on and grinning. +</p> +<p> + "Take the master and put 'im into the parlour," ses Mrs. Dixon, "and + don't let 'im come out till he's begged my pardon." +</p> +<p> + "Go on," ses Charlie, brushing up 'is shirt-sleeves; "in you go. You + 'ear wot she said." +</p> +<p> + He caught 'old of George Dixon, who 'ad just turned to the back o' the + bar to give a customer change out of 'arf a crown, and ran 'im kicking + and struggling into the parlour. George gave 'im a silly little punch in + the chest, and got such a bang on the 'ead back that at fust he thought + it was knocked off. +</p> +<p> + When 'e came to 'is senses agin the door leading to the bar was shut, and + 'is wife's uncle, who 'ad been asleep in the easy-chair, was finding + fault with 'im for waking 'im up. +</p> +<p> + "Why can't you be quiet and peaceable?" he ses, shaking his 'ead at him. + "I've been 'ard at work all the morning thinking wot colour to paint the + back-door, and this is the second time I've been woke up since dinner. + You're old enough to know better." +</p> +<p> + "Go and sleep somewhere else, then," ses Dixon. "I don't want you 'ere + at all, or your boys neither. Go and give somebody else a treat; I've + 'ad enough of the whole pack of you." +</p> +<a name="image-49"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="049.jpg" height="542" width="502" +alt="''go and Sleep Somewhere Else, Then,' Ses Dixon.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + He sat down and put 'is feet in the fender, and old Burge, as soon as he + 'ad got 'is senses back, went into the bar and complained to 'is niece, + and she came into the parlour like a thunderstorm. +</p> +<p> + "You'll beg my uncle's pardon as well as mine afore you come out o' that + room," she said to her 'usband; "mind that." +</p> +<p> + George Dixon didn't say a word; the shame of it was a'most more than 'e + could stand. Then 'e got up to go out o' the parlour and Charlie pushed + 'im back agin. Three times he tried, and then 'e stood up and looked at + 'is wife. +</p> +<p> + "I've been a good 'usband to you," he ses; "but there's no satisfying + you. You ought to ha' married somebody that would ha' knocked you about, + and then you'd ha' been happy. I'm too fond of a quiet life to suit + you." +</p> +<p> + "Are you going to beg my pardon and my uncle's pardon?" ses 'is wife, + stamping 'er foot. +</p> +<p> + "No," ses Dixon; "I am not. I'm surprised at you asking it." +</p> +<p> + "Well, you don't come out o' this room till you do," ses 'is wife. +</p> +<p> + "That won't hurt me," ses Dixon. "I couldn't look anybody in the face + arter being pushed out o' my own bar." +</p> +<p> + They kept 'im there all the rest o' the day, and, as 'e was still + obstinate when bedtime came, Mrs. Dixon, who wasn't to be beat, brought + down some bedclothes and 'ad a bed made up for 'im on the sofa. Some men + would ha' 'ad the police in for less than that, but George Dixon 'ad got + a great deal o' pride and 'e couldn't bear the shame of it. Instead o' + that 'e acted like a fourteen-year-old boy and ran away to sea. +</p> +<p> + They found 'im gone when they came down in the morning, and the side-door + on the latch. He 'ad left a letter for 'is wife on the table, telling + 'er wot he 'ad done. Short and sweet it was, and wound up with telling + 'er to be careful that her uncle and cousins didn't eat 'er out of house + and 'ome. +</p> +<p> + She got another letter two days arterward, saying that he 'ad shipped as + ordinary seaman on an American barque called the <i>Seabird,</i> bound for + California, and that 'e expected to be away a year, or thereabouts. +</p> +<p> + "It'll do 'im good," ses old Burge, when Mrs. Dixon read the letter to + 'em. "It's a 'ard life is the sea, and he'll appreciate his 'ome when 'e + comes back to it agin. He don't know when 'e's well off. It's as + comfortable a 'ome as a man could wish to 'ave." It was surprising wot a + little difference George Dixon's being away made to the Blue Lion. + Nobody seemed to miss 'im much, and things went on just the same as afore + he went. Mrs. Dixon was all right with most people, and 'er relations + 'ad a very good time of it; old Burge began to put on flesh at such a + rate that the sight of a ladder made 'im ill a'most, and Charlie and Bob + went about as if the place belonged to 'em. +</p> +<p> + They 'eard nothing for eight months, and then a letter came for Mrs. + Dixon from her 'usband in which he said that 'e had left the <i>Seabird</i> + after 'aving had a time which made 'im shiver to think of. He said that + the men was the roughest of the rough and the officers was worse, and + that he 'ad hardly 'ad a day without a blow from one or the other since + he'd been aboard. He'd been knocked down with a hand-spike by the second + mate, and had 'ad a week in his bunk with a kick given 'im by the + boatswain. He said 'e was now on the <i>Rochester Castle,</i> bound for + Sydney, and he 'oped for better times. +</p> +<p> + That was all they 'eard for some months, and then they got another letter + saying that the men on the <i>Rochester Castle</i> was, if anything, worse + than those on the Seabird, and that he'd begun to think that running away + to sea was diff'rent to wot he'd expected, and that he supposed 'e'd done + it too late in life. He sent 'is love to 'is wife and asked 'er as a + favour to send Uncle Burge and 'is boys away, as 'e didn't want to find + them there when 'e came home, because they was the cause of all his + sufferings. +</p> +<p> + "He don't know 'is best friends," ses old Burge. "'E's got a nasty + sperrit I don't like to see." +</p> +<p> + "I'll 'ave a word with 'im when 'e does come home," ses Bob. "I s'pose + he thinks 'imself safe writing letters thousands o' miles away." +</p> +<p> + The last letter they 'ad came from Auckland, and said that he 'ad shipped + on the <i>Monarch,</i> bound for the Albert Docks, and he 'oped soon to be at + 'ome and managing the Blue Lion, same as in the old happy days afore he + was fool enough to go to sea. +</p> +<p> + That was the very last letter, and some time arterward the <i>Monarch</i> was + in the missing list, and by-and-by it became known that she 'ad gone down + with all hands not long arter leaving New Zealand. The only difference + it made at the Blue Lion was that Mrs. Dixon 'ad two of 'er dresses dyed + black, and the others wore black neckties for a fortnight and spoke of + Dixon as pore George, and said it was a funny world, but they supposed + everything was for the best. +</p> +<p> + It must ha' been pretty near four years since George Dixon 'ad run off to + sea when Charlie, who was sitting in the bar one arternoon reading the + paper, things being dull, saw a man's head peep through the door for a + minute and then disappear. A'most direckly arterward it looked in at + another door and then disappeared agin. When it looked in at the third + door Charlie 'ad put down 'is paper and was ready for it. +</p> +<p> + "Who are you looking for?" he ses, rather sharp. "Wot d'ye want? Are + you 'aving a game of peepbo, or wot?" +</p> +<p> + The man coughed and smiled, and then 'e pushed the door open gently and + came in, and stood there fingering 'is beard as though 'e didn't know wot + to say. +</p> +<p> + "I've come back, Charlie," he ses at last. +</p> +<p> + "Wot, George!" ses Charlie, starting. "Why, I didn't know you in that + beard. We all thought you was dead, years ago." +</p> +<p> + "I was pretty nearly, Charlie," ses Dixon, shaking his 'ead. "Ah! I've + 'ad a terrible time since I left 'once." +</p> +<p> + "'You don't seem to ha' made your fortune," ses Charlie, looking down at + 'is clothes. "I'd ha' been ashamed to come 'ome like that if it 'ad been + me." +</p> +<p> + "I'm wore out," ses Dixon, leaning agin the bar. "I've got no pride + left; it's all been knocked out of me. How's Julia?" +</p> +<p> + "She's all right," ses Charlie. "Here, Ju—" +</p> +<p> + "H'sh!" ses Dixon, reaching over the bar and laying his 'and on his arm. + "Don't let 'er know too sudden; break it to 'er gently." +</p> +<p> + "Fiddlesticks!" ses Charlie, throwing his 'and off and calling, "Here, + Julia! He's come back." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Dixon came running downstairs and into the bar. "Good gracious!" + she ses, staring at her 'us-band. "Whoever'd ha' thought o' seeing you + agin? Where 'ave you sprung from?" +</p> +<p> + "Ain't you glad to see me, Julia?" ses George Dixon. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, I s'pose so; if you've come back to behave yourself," ses Mrs. + Dixon. "What 'ave you got to say for yourself for running away and then + writing them letters, telling me to get rid of my relations?" +</p> +<p> + "That's a long time ago, Julia," ses Dixon, raising the flap in the + counter and going into the bar. "I've gone through a great deal o' + suffering since then. I've been knocked about till I 'adn't got any + feeling left in me; I've been shipwrecked, and I've 'ad to fight for my + life with savages." +</p> +<p> + "Nobody asked you to run away," ses his wife, edging away as he went to + put his arm round 'er waist. "You'd better go upstairs and put on some + decent clothes." +</p> +<a name="image-50"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="050.jpg" height="613" width="532" +alt="'you'd Better Go Upstairs and Put on Some Decent +Clothes.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + Dixon looked at 'er for a moment and then he 'ung his 'ead. +</p> +<p> + "I've been thinking o' you and of seeing you agin every day since I went + away, Julia," he ses. "You'd be the same to me if you was dressed in + rags." +</p> +<p> + He went upstairs without another word, and old Burge, who was coming + down, came down five of 'em at once owing to Dixon speaking to 'im afore + he knew who 'e was. The old man was still grumbling when Dixon came down + agin, and said he believed he'd done it a-purpose. +</p> +<p> + "You run away from a good 'ome," he ses, "and the best wife in Wapping, + and you come back and frighten people 'arf out o' their lives. I never + see such a feller in all my born days." +</p> +<p> + "I was so glad to get 'ome agin I didn't think," ses Dixon. "I hope + you're not 'urt." +</p> +<p> + He started telling them all about his 'ardships while they were at tea, + but none of 'em seemed to care much about hearing 'em. Bob said that the + sea was all right for men, and that other people were sure not to like + it. +</p> +<p> + "And you brought it all on yourself," ses Charlie. "You've only got + yourself to thank for it. I 'ad thought o' picking a bone with you over + those letters you wrote." +</p> +<p> + "Let's 'ope 'e's come back more sensible than wot 'e was when 'e went + away," ses old Burge, with 'is mouth full o' toast. +</p> +<p> + By the time he'd been back a couple o' days George Dixon could see that + 'is going away 'adn't done any good at all. Nobody seemed to take any + notice of 'im or wot he said, and at last, arter a word or two with + Charlie about the rough way he spoke to some o' the customers, Charlie + came in to Mrs. Dixon and said that he was at 'is old tricks of + interfering, and he would not 'ave it. +</p> +<p> + "Well, he'd better keep out o' the bar altogether," ses Mrs. Dixon. + "There's no need for 'im to go there; we managed all right while 'e was + away." +</p> +<p> + "Do you mean I'm not to go into my own bar?" ses Dixon, stammering. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, I do," ses Mrs. Dixon. "You kept out of it for four years to + please yourself, and now you can keep out of it to please me." +</p> +<p> + "I've put you out o' the bar before," ses Charlie, "and if you come + messing about with me any more I'll do it agin. So now you know." +</p> +<p> + He walked back into the bar whistling, and George Dixon, arter sitting + still for a long time thinking, got up and went into the bar, and he'd + 'ardly got his foot inside afore Charlie caught 'old of 'im by the + shoulder and shoved 'im back into the parlour agin. +</p> +<p> + "I told you wot it would be," ses Mrs. Dixon, looking up from 'er sewing. + "You've only got your interfering ways to thank for it." +</p> +<p> + "This is a fine state of affairs in my own 'ouse," ses Dixon, 'ardly able + to speak. "You've got no proper feeling for your husband, Julia, else + you wouldn't allow it. Why, I was happier at sea than wot I am 'ere." +</p> +<p> + "Well, you'd better go back to it if you're so fond of it," ses 'is wife. +</p> +<p> + "I think I 'ad," ses Dixon. "If I can't be master in my own 'ouse I'm + better at sea, hard as it is. You must choose between us, Julia—me or + your relations. I won't sleep under the same roof as them for another + night. Am I to go?" +</p> +<p> + "Please yourself," ses 'is wife. "I don't mind your staying 'ere so long + as you behave yourself, but the others won't go; you can make your mind + easy on that." +</p> +<p> + "I'll go and look for another ship, then," ses Dixon, taking up 'is cap. + "I'm not wanted here. P'r'aps you wouldn't mind 'aving some clothes + packed into a chest for me so as I can go away decent." +</p> +<p> + He looked round at 'is wife, as though 'e expected she'd ask 'im not to + go, but she took no notice, and he opened the door softly and went out, + while old Burge, who 'ad come into the room and 'eard what he was saying, + trotted off upstairs to pack 'is chest for 'im. +</p> +<p> + In two hours 'e was back agin and more cheerful than he 'ad been since he + 'ad come 'ome. Bob was in the bar and the others were just sitting down + to tea, and a big chest, nicely corded, stood on the floor in the corner + of the room. +</p> +<p> + "That's right," he ses, looking at it; "that's just wot I wanted." +</p> +<p> + "It's as full as it can be," ses old Burge. "I done it for you myself. + 'Ave you got a ship?" +</p> +<p> + "I 'ave," ses Dixon. "A jolly good ship. No more hardships for me this + time. I've got a berth as captain." +</p> +<p> + "Wot?" ses 'is wife. "Captain? You!" +</p> +<p> + "Yes," ses Dixon, smiling at her. "You can sail with me if you like." +</p> +<p> + "Thankee," ses Mrs. Dixon, "I'm quite comfortable where I am." +</p> +<p> + "Do you mean to say you've got a master's berth?" ses Charlie, staring at + 'im. +</p> +<p> + "I do," ses Dixon; "master and owner." +</p> +<p> + Charlie coughed. "Wot's the name of the ship?" he asks, winking at the + others. +</p> +<p> + "The BLUE LION," ses Dixon, in a voice that made 'em all start. "I'm + shipping a new crew and I pay off the old one to-night. You first, my + lad." +</p> +<p> + "Pay off," ses Charlie, leaning back in 'is chair and staring at 'im in a + puzzled way. "Blue Lion?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes," ses Dixon, in the same loud voice. "When I came 'ome the other + day I thought p'r'aps I'd let bygones be bygones, and I laid low for a + bit to see whether any of you deserved it. I went to sea to get + hardened—and I got hard. I've fought men that would eat you at a meal. + I've 'ad more blows in a week than you've 'ad in a lifetime, you + fat-faced land-lubber." +</p> +<p> + He walked to the door leading to the bar, where Bob was doing 'is best to + serve customers and listen at the same time, and arter locking it put the + key in 'is pocket. Then 'e put his 'and in 'is pocket and slapped some + money down on the table in front o' Charlie. +</p> +<p> + "There's a month's pay instead o' notice," he ses. "Now git." +</p> +<p> + "George!" screams 'is wife. "'Ow dare you? 'Ave you gone crazy?" +</p> +<p> + "I'm surprised at you," ses old Burge, who'd been looking on with 'is + mouth wide open, and pinching 'imself to see whether 'e wasn't dreaming. +</p> +<p> + "I don't go for your orders," ses Charlie, getting up. "Wot d'ye mean by + locking that door?" +</p> +<p> + "Wot!" roars Dixon. "Hang it! I mustn't lock a door without asking my + barman now. Pack up and be off, you swab, afore I start on you." +</p> +<p> + Charlie gave a growl and rushed at 'im, and the next moment 'e was down + on the floor with the 'ardest bang in the face that he'd ever 'ad in 'is + life. Mrs. Dixon screamed and ran into the kitchen, follered by old + Burge, who went in to tell 'er not to be frightened. Charlie got up and + went for Dixon agin; but he 'ad come back as 'ard as nails and 'ad a + rushing style o' fighting that took Charlie's breath away. By the time + Bob 'ad left the bar to take care of itself, and run round and got in the + back way, Charlie had 'ad as much as 'e wanted and was lying on the + sea-chest in the corner trying to get 'is breath. +</p> +<a name="image-51"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="051.jpg" height="609" width="507" +alt="'charlie Had 'ad As Much As 'e Wanted and Was Lying on The +Sea-chest.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "Yes? Wot d'ye want?" ses Dixon, with a growl, as Bob came in at the + door. +</p> +<p> + He was such a 'orrible figure, with the blood on 'is face and 'is beard + sticking out all ways, that Bob, instead of doing wot he 'ad come round + for, stood in the doorway staring at 'im without a word. +</p> +<p> + "I'm paying off," ses Dixon. "'Ave you got any-thing to say agin it?" +</p> +<p> + "No," ses Bob, drawing back. +</p> +<p> + "You and Charlie'll go now," ses Dixon, taking out some money. "The old + man can stay on for a month to give 'im time to look round. Don't look + at me that way, else I'll knock your 'ead off." +</p> +<p> + He started counting out Bob's money just as old Burge and Mrs. Dixon, + hearing all quiet, came in out of the kitchen. +</p> +<p> + "Don't you be alarmed on my account, my dear," he ses, turning to 'is + wife; "it's child's play to wot I've been used to. I'll just see these + two mistaken young fellers off the premises, and then we'll 'ave a cup o' + tea while the old man minds the bar." +</p> +<p> + Mrs. Dixon tried to speak, but 'er temper was too much for 'er. She + looked from her 'usband to Charlie and Bob and then back at 'im agin and + caught 'er breath. +</p> +<p> + "That's right," ses Dixon, nodding his 'ead at her. "I'm master and + owner of the Blue Lion and you're first mate. When I'm speaking you keep + quiet; that's dissipline." +</p> +<p> + I was in that bar about three months arterward, and I never saw such + a change in any woman as there was in Mrs. Dixon. Of all the + nice-mannered, soft-spoken landladies I've ever seen, she was the best, + and on'y to 'ear the way she answered her 'usband when he spoke to 'er + was a pleasure to every married man in the bar. +</p> +<a name="image-52"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="052.jpg" height="536" width="539" +alt="'the Way She Answered Her 'usband Was a Pleasure to Every +Married Man in the Bar.' +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dixon's Return, by W.W. 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