Page:A Child of the Jago - Arthur Morrison.djvu/366

 wildness in his eye, that might well explain his partner's doubt.

"Yus. Come under the light. I couldn't git no twirls, an' we shan't want 'em. 'Ere's a screwdriver, an' two gimlets, an' a knife for the winderketch, an' a little James, an' a neddy—"

"A neddy!" Josh cut in, scornfully pointing his thumb at the instrument, which some call life-preserver. "A neddy for Weech! G-r-r-r! I might take a neddy to a man!"

"That 's awright," Bill replied. "But it 'ud frighten 'im pretty well, wouldn't it? Look 'ere. S'pose we can't find the oof. W'y should n't we wake up Mr. Weech very quiet an' respeckful, an' ask 'im t' 'elp us? 'E's all alone, an' I'm sure 'e'll be glad to 'blige, w'en 'e sees this 'ere neddy, without waitin' for a tap. W'y, blimy, I b'lieve 'e'd be afraid to sing out any'ow, for fear o' bringin' in the coppers to find all the stuff 'e's bought