Page:The moods of Ginger Mick.djvu/61

 Rh That satisfied Mick's honour fer a bit, But still 'e picks at Keith fer exercise, An' all the other blokes near 'as a fit To see Mick squirm at Keith's perlite replies, Till one day Keith 'owls back "You flamin' cow!" Then Mick permotes 'im, an' they 'as a row.

I sez "permotes 'im," fer, yeh'll understand, Ole Ginger 'as 'is pride o' class orl right; 'E's not the bloke to go an' soil 'is 'and Be stoushin' any coot that wants to fight. 'Im, that 'as 'ad 'is chances more'n once Up at the Stajum, ain't no bloomin' dunce.

Yeh'll 'ave to guess wot sort o' fight took place. Keith learnt 'is boxin' at a "culcher" school. The first three rounds, to save 'im frum disgrace, Mick kids 'im on an' plays the gentle fool. An' then 'e outs 'im wiv a little tap, An' tells 'im 'e's a reg'lar plucky chap.

They likes each other better after that, Fer Ginger alwus 'ad a reel soft spot Fer blokes 'oo 'ad some man beneath their 'at, An' never whined about the jolts they got. Still, pride o' class kept 'em frum gettin' thick. It's 'ard to git right next to Ginger Mick.