Page:A Child of the Jago - Arthur Morrison.djvu/277

 and no joint was disturbed, but there was a serious shock, many contusions, and a cut on the scalp. So said the surgeon whom Father Sturt took with him to Dove Lane. And Bobby Roper lay a fortnight in bed.

More plaster than ever embellished the heads of Dove Lane and the Jago that night; but for the Jagos there was compensation. For down among the barrels lay many a packet of tobacco, many a pair of boots, and many a corner stuffed with mixed property of other sorts, which Mother Gapp had fenced for many a month back. So that it happened to more than one warrior to carry home again something with which he had run between the "Posties" long before, and had sold to Mother Gapp for what she would give.

The ground floor of the Feathers stood a battered shell. The damage four years ago was inconsiderable compared to this. With tears and blasphemy Mother Gapp