Page:Ragged Trousered Philanthropists.djvu/161

The Lodger 'Wot's the game?' he enquired, in a low voice.

'Ole Crass ain't arf wild about Owen doin' that room,' replied Harlow, and repeated the substance of Grass's remarks.

'It is a bit of a take-down for the bleeder, ain't it, 'avin' to play second fiddle?' said Philpot, with a delighted grin.

E's 'opin' Owen'll make a mess of it,' Easton whispered.

'Well, 'e'll be disappointed, mate,' answered Philpot. 'I was workin' along of Owen for Pushem and Sloggem about two years ago, and I seen 'im do a job down at the Royal 'Otel—the smokin' room ceilin' it was—and I can tell you it looked a bloody treat!'

'I've heard tell of it,' said Harlow.

'There's no doubt Owen knows 'is work,' remarked Easton. 'Although 'e is a bit orf 'is onion about Socialism.'

'I don't know so much about that, mate,' returned Philpot, 'I agree with a lot that 'e ses. I've often thought the same things meself, but I can't talk like 'im 'cause I ain't got no 'ead for it.'

'I agree with some of it, too,' said Harlow, with a laugh, 'but all the same, 'e does say some bloody silly things, you must admit. For instance, that cuff about money bein' the cause of poverty.'

'Yes; I can't exactly see that meself,' agreed Philpot.

'We must tackle 'im about that at dinner time,' said Harlow. 'I should rather like to 'ear how 'e makes it out.'

'For Gord's sake don't go startin' no arguments at dinner time,' said Easton. 'Leave 'im alone when 'e is quiet.'

'Yes, let's 'ave our dinner in peace, if possible,' said Philpot. 'Sh!!' he added, hoarsely, suddenly holding up his hand warningly.

They listened intently. It was evident from the creaking of the stairs that someone was crawling up them. Philpot instantly disappeared. Harlow lifted up the pail of whitewash and set it down noisily.

'I think we'd better 'ave the steps and the plank over this side, Easton,' he said in a loud voice.

'Yes. I think that'll be the best way,' replied Easton.

While they were arranging their scaffold to do the ceiling, Crass arrived on the landing. He made no remark at first, but walked into the rooms to see how many ceilings they had done.

'You'd better look alive, you chaps,' he said, as he went 149