Page:While the Billy Boils, 1913.djvu/215

 the hotel, at the expense of some 'mugs' whom Steelman was 'educating.' It was raining hard. When Smith was going home, he said:―

'Look here, Steely, old man. Listen to the rain! I'll get wringing wet going home. You might as well lend me your overcoat to-night. You won't want it, and I won't hurt it.'

And, Steelman's heart being warmed by his successes, he lent the overcoat.

Smith went and pawned it, got glorious on the proceeds, and took the pawn-ticket to Steelman next day.

Smith had reformed.

'And I taught him!' Steelman would say, proudly, in after years, in concluding his celebrated dog-yarn. 'Poor old Smith. He could battle round all right. I taught him.'