| 230 | 231 | 232 | 233 | 234 |
| 1 | 74 | 149 | 223 | 297 |
|
The swart man took the plunge. He grasped Denton's arm, became intimate
in his attitude. "'Scuse me," he said. "Fact is, you done know 'ow to
scrap. Done know 'ow to. Why--you done know 'ow to begin. You'll get
killed if you don't mind. 'Ouldin' your 'ands--There!"
He reinforced his statement by objurgation, watching the effect of each
oath with a wary eye.
"
F'r instance. You're tall. Long arms. You get a longer reach than any
one in the brasted vault. Gobblimey, but I thought I'd got a Tough on.
Stead of which ... 'Scuse me. I wouldn't have 'it you if I'd known.
'
It's like fighting sacks. 'Tisn' right. Y'r arms seemed 'ung on 'ooks.
Reg'lar--'ung on 'ooks. There!"
Denton stared, and then surprised and hurt his battered chin by a sudden
laugh. Bitter tears came into his eyes.
"
Go on," he said.
The swart man reverted to his formula. He was good enough to say he
liked the look of Denton, thought he had stood up "amazing plucky. On'y
pluck ain't no good--ain't no brasted good--if you don't 'old your
'ands.
"
Whad I was going to say was this," he said. "Lemme show you 'ow to
scrap. Jest lemme. You're ig'nant, you ain't no class; but you might be
32
2
Page
Quick Jump
|