Page:While the Billy Boils, 1913.djvu/41

 It made him wild to be called a mug, and we swore and growled at each other for awhile; but we daren't speak loud enough to have a fight, so at last I agreed to toss up for it, and I lost.

Bill started to give me some of his points, but I shut him up quick.

'You've had your turn, and made a mess of it,' I said. 'For God's sake give me a show. Now, I'll go into the bar and ask for the swags, and carry them out on to the verandah, and then go back to settle up. You keep him talking all the time. You dump the two swags together, and smoke like sheol. That's all you've got to do.'

I went into the bar, got the swags from the missus, carried them out on to the verandah, and then went back.

Stiffner came in.

'Good morning!'

'Good morning, sir,' says Stiffner.

'It'll be a nice day, I think?'

'Yes, I think so. I suppose you are going on?'

'Yes, we'll have to make a move to-day.' Then I hooked carelessly on to the counter with one elbow, and looked dreamy-like out across the clearing, and presently I gave a sort of sigh and said: 'Ah, well! I think I'll have a beer.'

'Right you are! Where's your mate?'

'Oh, he's round at the back. He'll be round directly; but he ain't drinking this morning.'

Stiffner laughed that nasty empty laugh of his. He thought Bill was whipping the cat.

'What's yours, boss?' I said.