Page:A Child of the Jago - Arthur Morrison.djvu/242

 Dicky Perrott had importuned him to buy the goods in question at the prices he had mentioned, together with others—readily named now that the oil-man swallowed so freely—and that they were to be delivered and paid for at night when Dicky left work. But, perhaps, Mr. Weech concluded, parading an obstinate belief in human nature, perhaps the boy being new to the business, had mistaken the prices, and was merely doing his best to push his master's trade.

"No fear o' that," said Grinder, shaking his head gloomily. "Not the least fear o' that. 'E knows the cheapest door-mats I got 's one an' six—I 'eard him tell customers so outside a dozen times; an' anyone can see the smoke-jacks is ticketed five an' nine"—as Mr. Weech had seen, when he spoke of them. "I thought that boy was too eager an' willin' to be quite genavin," Dicky's master went on. "'E ain't 'ad me yut, that 's one comfort: if