"Ah!" nodded the Pedler, "but belts is riz--'arf-a-crown's the
price--take it or leave it."
"It's getting late," said I, slipping the money into his hand,
"and I'll wish you good night!"
"You're in a 'urry about it, ain't you?"
"Yes."
"Ah--to be sure!" nodded the fellow, looking from me to Charmian
with an evil leer, "early to bed an'--"
"Come--get off!" said I angrily.
"Wot--are ye goin' to turn me away--at this time o' night!"
"It is not so far to Sissinghurst!" said I: "But, Lord! I wouldn't disturb ye--an' there's two rooms, ain't
there?"
"There are plenty of comfortable beds to be had at 'The Bull.'"
"So you won't gi'e me a night's shelter, eh?"
"No," I answered, greatly annoyed by the fellow's persistence.
"An' you don't want to buy nothin' for the young woman--a
necklace--or, say--a pair o' garters?" But here, meeting my eye,
he shouldered his brooms hastily and moved off. And, after he
had gone some dozen yards or so, he paused and turned.
"Very well then!" he shouted, "I 'opes as you gets your 'ead
knocked off--ah!--an' gets it knocked off soon!" Having said
which, he spat up into the air towards me, and trudged off.