I give him a stiff glass o' whisky at five o'clock and
that's all as he's had."
Charlie finished his gin. The pair stood silent.
"Well," said Charlie, striking his leg. "Swelp me bob! It fair beats me!
Twins! Who'd ha'thought it? Jos, lad, thou mayst be thankful as it isna'
triplets. Never did I think, as I was footing it up here this morning,
as it was twins I was coming to!"
"Hast got that half quid in thy pocket?"
"What half quid?" said Charlie, defensively.
"Now then. Chuck us it over!" said Jos, suddenly harsh and overbearing.
"I laid thee half quid as it 'ud be a wench," said Charlie, doggedly.
"Thou'rt a liar, Charlie!" said Jos. "Thou laidst half a quid as it
wasna' a boy."
"Nay, nay!" Charlie shook his head.
"And a boy it is!" Jos persisted.
"It being a lad _and_ a wench," said Charlie, with a judicial air, "and
me 'aving laid as it 'ud be a wench, I wins." In his accents and his
gestures I could discern the mean soul, who on principle never paid
until he was absolutely forced to pay. I could see also that Jos Myatt
knew his man.
"Thou laidst me as it wasna' a lad," Jos almost shouted.
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