Ruth
However, Newman continued to accompany them, and an awkward silence succeeded.
He seemed to wish to say something more, and they both guessed what it was. So they walked along as rapidly as possible in order not to give him any encouragement. At last Newman blurted out:
'I suppose—you don't happen—either of you—to have a tanner you could lend me? I'll let you have it back—when I get a job.'
'I ain't, mate,' replied Crass. 'I'm sorry; if I 'ad one on me you should 'ave it, with pleasure.'
Slyme also expressed his regret that he had no money with him, and at the corner of the next street Newman—ashamed of having asked—wished them good night, and went away.
Slyme and Crass hurried along and presently arrived at Rushton and Company's shop. The windows were lit up with electric light, displaying an assortment of wallpapers, gas and electric light fittings, glass shades, globes, tins of enamel, paint and varnish. There were also several framed showcards—'Estimates Free,' 'First Class Work Only at Moderate Charges', 'Only First Class Workmen Employed,' and others of the same type. On one side wall of the window was a large, shield shaped board, covered with black velvet, on which a number of brass fittings for coffins were arranged. The shield was on an oak mount with the inscription:—'Funerals conducted on modern principles.'
Slyme waited outside while Crass went in. Mr Budd, the shopman, was down at the far end near the glazed partition which separated Mr Rushton's office from the front shop. As Crass entered, Budd—a pale-faced, unhealthy looking, undersized youth about twenty years of age—looked round and, with a grimace, motioned him to walk softly. Crass paused, wondering what the other meant, but the shopman beckoned him to advance, grinning and winking and jerking his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the office. Crass hesitated, fearing that possibly the miserable Budd had gone—or been driven—out of his mind; but as the latter continued to beckon and grin and point towards the office, he screwed up his courage and followed him behind one of the show-cases, and found that by peeping through a crack in the woodwork of the partition indicated by Budd, he could see Mr Rushton
195
