The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

on the

g to do Owen a good turn, thought he would put him on his guard, and repeated to him

,' he said, 'but I thought I ought to let you know: yo

e, mate,' replied Owen. 'Thank

hat matter,' Easton continued, 'but of course it doesn't do to fall ou

has to rem

' Easton went on. 'He don't like 'avin' anyone on the firm wot knows more abo

ughed b

THAT account. I wouldn't have h

lied Easton, 'and that's why

tries to goad me into doing or saying something that would give him an excuse to tell me to clear

write in it with a piece of black-lead pencil. When the pipe was smoked out he knocked the bowl against the grate to get rid of the ash, and placed the pipe in his wa

? I don't want yer to stop

said the boy. 'Just this bit under

e, what I can see of it!' growled Crass

ly at the floor an

soon as I've got this bit of wall done,

t some more fuel on the fire, began in a leisurely way to pai

shed there

ok a bit livelier than you do, you

id not

You're fond of drorin, ain't yer?

' replied the b

d and git them things and put 'em on a truck and dror it up 'ere, and git back as soon as you can. Ju

and with some diffic

steppes

n Plastor

off w

s wit

lon Lin

Do.

e it out a

ant you to take the venetian blinds with you on it when you

rig

the house to see how the others were getting on. Then

t beard of the same colour. His head was rather large, but low, and flat on top. When among his cronies he was in the habit of referring to his obesity as

spoke to each other, sometimes shouting from one room to another. Now and then Harlow's voice rang through the house as he sang snatches of music-hall songs or a verse of a Moody and Sankey hymn, and occasionally some of the others joined in the chorus or interrupted the s

! Someone

became v

the smell of the tobacco smoke. Then he shifted the pair of steps noisily,

rass wished to be discovered at work. He therefore waited a little longer and presently he heard the sound of voices upstairs but was unable to recognize them. He was just about to go out into the passage to listen, when whoever it was began co

estitute of eye-lashes. He had large fat feet cased in soft calfskin boots, with drab-coloured spats. His overcoat, heavily trimmed with sealskin, reached just below the knees, and although the trousers were very wide they were filled by the fat legs within, the shape of the calves being distinctly perceptible. Even as the feet seemed about to burst the u

is being, he touched

mornin

tairs that I should find the fo

s,

etting on with

hov a show now, sir,' replied Crass, spea

sn't here yet

ornin, sir; 'e generally comes hafternoons, sir, but

o meet him here at ten o'clock; but'--lookin

se,' added Mr Sweater. 'I'll just

walking behind him obsequious

aining what progress had so far been made with the work, but as Mr Sweater answered only by monosyllables

and was discussing with him the possibility of extractin

ughter see-ise this 'ere tuneroppe

'IM, mate,' returned Newman.

s beer with it? We might 'ave tea, or ginger ale

irs and presently came into the room where Philpot wa

mornin

u've begun painti

a start on it,' repl

eater, glancing apprehensive

he looked meaningly at the great man, 'the

hearing the latter part of Philpot's reply. 'I've

secretly delighted. 'I'll get that orf for

a can of turps in the room. Moistening the rag slightly wit

the place with a dry part of the rag. 'The smell

,' said

Sweater evidently did not understan

new piece of skirti

he room just then to get the turps. 'The

y and cast a sidelong glance at Sweater, who did not appear to notice the significance of the remark, b

gnation. 'After all the trouble I took to clean 'is coat!

would be, didn't

id Philpot, thoughtfully. 'We must try to

landing he called

y, Ha

individual, looking

r getting o

right,

pot continued, raising his voice

her,' replied Ha

ery good time to take up t

uldn't be a

ion to the word. 'You never knows yer luck. Things is gettin' a bit

velopments: but as Sweater made no sign, he r

e better after 'e's 'ad a drink: you c

responded Harlow. 'I've

and passed into one of the back rooms

lpot, shaking his head sadly, returned to work; but in a l

a chap died--of thirst--on a job just like this; and at the

a norrible death,

mate,' replied Philpot, mournfu

t, whatever the result of their efforts, they had done their best. They had placed the matter f

and when he came downstairs he took no notice whatever of the cap whic