Page:While the Billy Boils, 1913.djvu/146

 reading the paper―if it is not immediately bespoke―he turns it right side out, folds it, and puts it away where he'll know where to find it. The paper is generally bespoke in the following manner:

'Let's have a look at that paper after you. Bill, when yer done with it,' says Jack.

And Bill says:

'I just promised it to Bob. You can get it after him.'

And, when it is finally lent, Bill says:

'Don't forget to give that paper back to me when yer done with it. Don't let any of those other blanks get holt of it, or the chances are I won't set eyes on it again.'

But the other blanks get it in their turn after being referred to Bill. 'You must ask Bill,' says Jack to the next blank, 'I got it from him.' And when Bill gets his paper back finally―which is often only after much bush grumbling, accusation, recrimination, and denial―he severely and carefully re-arranges the pages, folds the paper, and sticks it away up over a rafter, or behind a post or batten, or under his pillow where it will be safe. He wants that paper to send to Jim.

Bill is but an indifferent hand at folding, and knows little or nothing about wrappers. He folds and re-folds the paper several times and in various ways, but the first result is often the best, and is finally adopted. The parcel looks more ugly than neat; but Bill puts a weight upon it so that it won't fly open, and looks round for a piece of string to tie it with. Sometimes he ties it firmly round the middle, sometimes at both